GOP Adds to N.C. County Commission Lead | 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.

Republicans hold 54 county boards, one more than in 2014 cycle; Democrats had 64 as recently as 2009-09

    The partisan majorities on five boards of county commissioners flipped during the Nov. 8 general election, pending certification of the vote.

    Republicans picked up majorities in three counties - Alleghany, Jackson, and Nash - that previously had Democratic majorities. Democrats flipped two county boards - Montgomery and Watauga - from Republican control.

    Republicans now hold majorities on 54 county boards, while Democrats claim majorities on 45. One county, Perquimans, is evenly divided with three Democrats and three Republicans.

    Previously, Republicans held a 53-46 majority, with Perquimans County evenly divided.

    The 2016 election marks the most county commission majorities that Republicans have held since the turn of the century.

    The high-water mark for Democrats came in 2008, when the party rode a wave led by Barack Obama's successful presidential bid. Following the 2008 election, Democrats held a 64-36 advantage on county commission majorities in North Carolina.

    Two years later, in 2010, Republicans rode a national wave that nearly eclipsed that edge. Following that election, Democrats held a 50-49 advantage in county board majorities, with one evenly split. From the 2012 election through now, Republicans have held majorities on more North Carolina boards of commissioners than Democrats.

    Figures tallied by the N.C. Association of County Commissioners shows that 96 new commissioners were elected this fall. New commissioners will make up 16.5 percent of the 583 county commissioners statewide.

    Statewide, 323 Republicans and 256 Democrats will serve on county commission boards. Five commissioners were listed as "other."

    In addition, 110 of the commissioners will be African-American, with African-Americans holding majorities on eight boards - Anson, Edgecombe, Hertford, Hoke, Northampton, Vance, Warren, and Washington.

    Five American Indians will serve on county boards.

    Women will hold 92 of the county board seats statewide and have majorities in four counties -Avery, Cabarrus, Catawba, and Durham.