ROCKWELL — When the Rockwell municipal election results start trickling in next week, there aren’t likely to be many frowns among candidates.
Incumbent Beau Taylor is once again running unopposed for mayor — and only four candidates are running for five aldermen seats.
Incumbents Chuck Bowman and Charles Wingerson join Taylor on the ballot. Charles Stiller, who lost the 2011 Rockwell aldermen race by about 30 votes, is also running again. Bill Earnhardt is the only new challenger in the race.
Unless a prior board member runs as a write-in candidate, Rockwell candidates are likely to see a fresh face after the election.
Rowan County Elections Director Nancy Evans said the county has seen races with fewer candidates than seats before, but “not very often.”
“What will happen is a write-in that has the most votes would receive that election,” Evans said.
Taylor, who has served as Rockwell mayor for 12 years, said he’s heard of at least one resident who plans to have a write-in campaign.
But the seat is up for grabs.
“If he or she accepts it, then they could be the next aldermen. It’s really sort of odd. That’s the way they explained it to me,” Taylor said. “The high write-in vote, if they accept it.”
Taylor said this year has seen the most political change in the town since he was first elected.
Keeping taxes low, he said, and starting payments on the town’s new fire truck are some of the top priorities for the town.
With several incumbents and a few other familiar faces returning, Taylor said, he doesn’t see a possibly unknown fifth alderman significantly affecting the board.
“I just want a good board to work with,” he said. “I’ve had a good board for 12 years.”

Contact reporter Nathan Hardin at 704-797-4246.