By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
CHINA GROVE — Former Town Council member Steve Stroud unseated incumbent Ron Overcash while incumbent Lee Withers won re-election Tuesday.
Mayor Don Bringle ran unopposed and finished with 246 votes, while 18 votes went to write-in candidates.
Stroud received 143 votes or 24.57 percent of the vote, and Withers received 145 votes or 24.91 percent.
“I appreciate the confidence that 143 people of China Grove expressed,” Stroud said.
Stroud said he was excited to return to the board. He was first appointed to the board in early 2000.
Withers will be serving his second term on the board.
“I’m excited. The people have spoken,” he said. “It’s an amazing piece of responsibility the people have bestowed upon me.”
Withers said he has enjoyed serving with Overcash but looks forward to serving the next four years with Stroud.
“He’s an asset. He’s a business owner and he brings new light,” Withers said.
Overcash received about 12 percent of the vote or 71 votes.
Overcash said he was surprised by the results and disappointed not to be serving another term, but happy for Withers and Stroud.
“I thank the people that did vote for me and hope the best for the town,” he said.
Butch Bivens received 91 votes or 15.64 percent, Donnie Herring received 103 votes or 17.70 percent, and Allen Welter received 27 votes or 4.64 percent.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.