WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The four seats up for grabs on the New Hanover County look like they will stay with the Republican Party for four more years.
Incumbents Don Hayes, Janice Cavenaugh and Ed Higgins retained their seats, while former New Hanover County Manager Bruce Shell won for the first time. Shell replaces Republican Derrick Hickey, who ran for New Hanover County Commission.
Three Democrats, Emma Saunders, Tom Meek and Chris Gale, were also on the ballot. Based on the unofficial vote count, Saunders is just 565 votes behind Higgins for fourth place, which represents less than one percent of the votes cast. That means there could be a recount.
Election results are not final until the canvass is completed on Nov. 14.