New Salisbury Mayor? Woodson top vote getter | Politics

SALISBURY - The five incumbents in the race for Salisbury City Council all kept their seats, despite spirited challenges from a field of newcomers, but there was a new name at the top of the ticket.

Longtime councilman Paul Woodson came out on top in Tuesday's results. 

"I am shocked, I really am," Woodson told WSTP Radio Tuesday night just as the numbers came in.  "I told you all before i never worked so hard in all my life in an election...I'm really really surprised."

Woodson has come close before, serving as Mayor Pro-Tem while finishing second to Susan Kluttz in past elections.

In Salisbury the top vote getter in the race for City Council is traditionally named as Mayor by the Council.

For her part, Kluttz, who has been Salisbury's Mayor for the past 14 years, was gracious.

"It is decided by the council, which will be next month, I honor the tradition of top vote getter being Mayor and I certainly will support him with these numbers for him to be Mayor," Kluttz said Tuesday night.

The results:  Paul Woodson (1928 votes/14.69%), Susan Kluttz (1893 votes/14.43%), Maggie Blackwell 1853/14.12%), Brian Miller (1821/13.88%), Pete Kennedy (1570/11.96%).

Outside the top 5: Rip Kersey (1451/11.06%), Benjamin Lynch (1355/10.33%), Blake Jarman (656/5%), Dale Stephens (438/3.34%).

For a complete list of the final numbers, visit the Rowan County Board of Elections results page by clicking here: http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NC/Rowan/33115/49679/en/summary.html