Walker Trounces Berger in 6th CD Republican Runoff | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: The author of this post is Barry Smith, who is an associate editor for the Carolina Journal, John Hood Publisher.

Turnout in all races higher than any runoff in past decade

    RALEIGH     Greensboro minister Mark Walker stunned Rockingham County District Attorney Phil Berger Jr. in Tuesday's runoff for the 6th Congressional District Republican nomination. Walker defeated Berger, who led in the first primary, in a heated contest by a margin of 60 percent to 40 percent. Walker will face Democrat Laura Fjeld, a former UNC system official, in the November general election. The winner will take the seat being vacated by longtime GOP Rep. Howard Coble, who did not run for re-election.

    In the state's other congressional primary runoff, Josh Brannon defeated Gardenia Henley 66 percent to 34 percent to capture the 5th Congressional District Democratic runoff. Brannon will face veteran GOP Rep. Virginia Foxx in November.

    In the only state legislative runoff on Tuesday's ballot, Shelly Willingham defeated Rusty Holderness in the Democratic runoff for the 23rd House District, which includes Edgecombe and Martin counties. Willingham garnered 52 percent of the vote to Holderness' 48 percent.

    Willingham, who faces no GOP opposition in November, is the likely winner of the seat, barring a write-in campaign.

    Berger, son of state Senate leader Phil Berger Sr., built a huge lead in fundraising over Walker, reporting more than $460,000 during the election cycle to Walker's $315,000. Berger also outspent Walker in advertising by a 6-1 margin. But Walker focused on grass-roots campaigning, including the use of phone banks, yard signs, and door-to-door canvassing of the district, which paid off.

    Immigration became a key issue in the district following last month's defeat of U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., by university professor Dave Brat, who chided Cantor for his support of immigration reform.

    Following Cantor's loss, both Berger and Walker tried to convince GOP runoff primary voters that they were strongly opposed to "amnesty" for illegal immigrants. Walker, who thanked voters in the 6th District who nominated him, said the margin of victory surprised him.

    "We wouldn't be very truthful if we told you we expected to win with 60 percent," Walker said late Tuesday night.

    He said he could not identify a point where the tide turned to his favor.

    "I think it was just a message over 14 months," Walker said. "We continued to build people before politics."

    Walker said he plans to stay focused on his message as he goes into the general election campaign. "Do you want to send to Washington somebody who believes in bigger government, or do you want to send somebody to Washington who believes in limited government?" Walker asked regarding Fjeld.

    In a statement, state Democratic Party Chairman Randy Voller said, "We are excited about electing Laura Fjeld to represent the citizens of her district. Laura Fjeld understands the importance of small businesses and buying local. As our congresswoman, she will fight to preserve local control and be a partner with local county and municipal governments to improve the quality of life for all citizens of the 6th Congressional District."

    Two areas of the state had primary runoffs for district attorney.

    In District 10 — Wake County — John Bryant defeated Jeff Cruden 64 percent to 36 percent to win the GOP nomination. Bryant will face Democrat Nancy Freeman in the November general election.

    In District 25, which includes Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba counties, David Learner defeated Jay Gaither Jr. 62 percent to 38 percent to win the Republication nomination. Learner has no Democratic opposition in November.

    Primary runoffs for sheriff were held in four counties, including Beaufort County, where there were runoffs in both the Republican and Democratic primaries. Ernie Coleman won the GOP primary and will face the Democratic runoff winner Al Whitney in the November general election.

    Landric Reid won the Democratic runoff primary for sheriff in Anson County.

    Curtis Lambert won the GOP runoff for sheriff in Jackson County.

    Charles Blackwood won the Democratic primary runoff for sheriff in Orange County.

    In county commissioner races:

• Faye Lacey won the GOP primary runoff in Avery County.
• David Allen won the District 3 GOP primary runoff in Randolph County.
• Berlester Campbell won the District 2 Democratic primary runoff in Robeson County.
• Stony Rushing won the GOP primary runoff for an at-large seat in Union County.

    Three clerk of court GOP runoffs were held Tuesday. Kim Richards Sigmon won in Catawba County. Jim Mixson won in Iredell County. Steve H. Owens won in Rutherford County.

    Lee King won the Republican register of deeds runoff in Henderson County.

    In Cleveland County, Tott Griffin won the Democratic runoff for coroner.

    Josh Lawson, a spokesman for the State Board of Elections, said more than 105,000 North Carolinians cast ballots Tuesday to decide 19 runoff contests across 37 counties. For the first time since 2006, no statewide race required a second primary.

    "Turnout was higher than any second primary over the past decade," Lawson said.