Washington, NC voters oust Sadler machine, elect Tax Cut majority & Brabo | Eastern NC Now

In reaction to a massive 28% tax increase by the outgoing Sadler machine, Washington voters have ousted them from power.  Washington has a new mayor, Ellen Brabo, and a new council majority, Nick Fritz, Joe Davis, and Nick Perreault, pledged to cutting the wasteful and unnecessary spending out of the budget to cut taxes.  Fritz was top votegetter, and by tradition is regarded as the incoming Mayor Pro Tem.

There will be two holdovers from the Sadler team in the remaining slots, Antwon Horton and Anthony Tyre.  Tyre's residence in the city has been challenged to the Board of Elections, so he may be disqualified from serving.  Tyre owns a condo in Greenville and says he also rents an apartment on Main Street in Washington that belongs to a political ally.

Thirteen candidates ran for five seats on the council, with three separate teams contesting the race.  The Big Five, all Republicans and backed by the county Republican Party elected two of their members, Fritz and Perreault, while two others finished a handful of votes behind Horton and Tyre.  The Tax Cut Team, sponsored by the Beaufort County Conservative Club elected three of their members, Fritz, Perreault, and Davis.  Incoming Mayor Ellen Brabo's team, elected two of their three candidates, Fritz and Davis.  Outgoing Mayor Sadler's team elected two of their candidates, incumbents Horton, and Tyre, although Tyre is subject to a residency challenge and may still be disqualified.