By Josh Bergeron

josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — The Rowan County Republican Party on Saturday elected local business owner Don Vick as its next chairman.

During the party’s convention, Vick, 68, was elected to a two-year term without any opposition. He runs The Candy Shoppe on Main Street in Salisbury with his wife Nancy. Vick came to Rowan County 23 years ago from neighboring Mooresville.

After his election on Saturday, Vick said an important task in the next two years will be getting more Republicans, especially young people, involved in the local party.

“We need to make sure that we embrace and reach out to all the young Republicans because, you know, some of us folks are getting a little bit older,” Vick said. “I think that’s the important thing, to get everybody involved and everybody working together toward common goals.”

He said it’s an honor to be elected chairman. Vick said he was asked if he’d be willing to serve in the position. He accepted and on Saturday appeared on a nominating committee’s slate of candidates. Previously, Vick served on the party’s executive committee and worked as a campaign volunteer.

Vick fills a spot previously held by Stephen Kidd, who said he didn’t seek another term so he could spend time with his family. In comments during Saturday’s convention, Kidd said he’s leaving the Rowan County GOP better than when he took office. Kidd said the Rowan County GOP will be “in good hands” with Vick, other Rowan County GOP officers and the executive committee.

Kidd also encouraged the party not to expect election victories because Rowan County traditionally elects Republicans.

“We can’t sit back on our laurels and say this is a Republican county and we don’t have to worry about it,” Kidd said.

Saturday’s election was unlike one two years ago, when two competing slates of candidates drew a standing-room-only crowd of people to the county’s administration building. This year, the nominating committee’s slate of candidates quickly received a motion and a second. No one in the crowd of about 50 people expressed opposition to the slate, and it passed by voice vote.

The slate of candidates included Vick, officers and several members at large.

The Rowan County Republican Party’s officers for 2017 to 2019 include:

• Vick as chair

• Elaine Hewitt as vice chair

• Daryl Cox as treasurer

Cox was elected to a second-straight term as treasurer.

• Susan Agner as secretary

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.