RICHMOND COUNTY — Ellerbe residents have once again chosen Lee Berry as mayor, returning him to office for a fourth term. According to unofficial results from the Richmond County Board of Elections, Berry received 105 votes, while his opponent, councilman Jeremy McKenzie, received 48.
Berry, co-owner of the Berry Patch, previously served three terms as mayor. McKenzie, who has been on the Ellerbe Town Board since 2015, addressed his loss on social media Tuesday evening.
“Good evening! It is unfortunate that I didn’t get elected to become the next Mayor of Ellerbe. I will continue to work tirelessly to serve on the Town Council and help move our Town forward,” said McKenzie. “Congratulations to my new colleagues in Mayor Lee Berry and Town Commissioners Heather Pack and Jimmy Bowles.”
Heather Pack secured a council seat with 89 votes — the highest among candidates — followed by incumbent Jean Fletcher with 84 and newcomer Jimmy Bowles with 83. Incumbent Elsie Freeman received 49 votes, while Bennett Hawks had 78 and challenger Martin Chavis III received 20, leaving them short of election. Three write-ins were reported.
Ellerbe residents also voted on whether to allow the sale of mixed beverages in town, approving the measure with 101 votes in favor. Earlier this year, the town council held a hearing on wine sales and later approved a motion to place the issue on the November ballot.
In Hamlet, all incumbents retained their seats. Mayor Amy Guinn ran unopposed, receiving 447 votes. Raymond Mills, owner of Axe to Grind, ran as a write-in candidate for mayor, receiving 67 votes, while 31 miscellaneous write-ins were recorded. Councilmen Tony Clewis and Eddie Martin held their seats against challengers Amber Daniels and Esco Latimer.
In Hoffman, Mayor Karla Bostick was reelected with 44 votes. Incumbents Rory Kevin Jones, Daniel Kelly, Kyonna Jones and Cynthia A. Northcutt also secured reelection, while newcomer April Watkins won a seat previously held by Riccardo (Ricky) Anderson. Grace Bostick trailed Northcutt by two votes with 27, and Anderson received 21. Two write-ins were also reported.
In Rockingham, Mayor John Hutchinson retained his seat with 576 votes, defeating challenger Christopher West, who received 82. Incumbents Debbie Wren (554) and Denise Sullivan (493) will remain on the board, and newcomer Gregory Leberth (401) will fill the seat vacated by Gene Willard. Challenger Matt Demay received 205 votes.