The 2025 Election Day for municipal elections took place on Nov. 4, and the votes are now in. The municipal elections are when voters can choose who represents them in local government offices.In Pender County, municipal races took place in Atkinson, Burgaw, St. Helena, Surf City, Topsail Beach and Watha. Positions up for election included town mayors, commissioners and council members.The results are unofficial until the Pender County canvass on Friday, Nov. 14. For more election results, visit the State Board of Elections at ...
The 2025 Election Day for municipal elections took place on Nov. 4, and the votes are now in. The municipal elections are when voters can choose who represents them in local government offices.
In Pender County, municipal races took place in Atkinson, Burgaw, St. Helena, Surf City, Topsail Beach and Watha. Positions up for election included town mayors, commissioners and council members.
The results are unofficial until the Pender County canvass on Friday, Nov. 14. For more election results, visit the State Board of Elections at https://er.ncsbe.gov/.
Atkinson Mayor
Gary E. Alsup, who ran unopposed, will take over as the mayor of Atkinson. Alsup had been serving as a town commissioner. Alsup, who will serve a two-year term as mayor, received 21 votes.
Atkinson Commissioner
Incumbent Penny Stith and Hector (Ray) Ramos ran unopposed for Atkinson commissioner. Ramos received 25 votes, while Stith received 21 votes. They will each serve a four-year term.
Atkinson Commissioner (unexpired term)
Denise Lewis ran unopposed for an unexpired term as an Atkinson town commissioner. She received 22 votes.
Burgaw Mayor
Incumbent Olivia Dawson, who ran unopposed, will once again serve a four-year term as the Burgaw mayor. She received 142 votes.
Burgaw Commissioner
Incumbent James Raymond Malloy and Myra McDuffie ran unopposed for Burgaw commissioner. Malloy received 126 votes, while McDuffie received 116 votes. They will each serve a four-year term.
St. Helena Mayor
Robert M. Barnhill, who ran unopposed, will once again serve a two-year term as the St. Helena mayor. He received 28 votes.
St. Helena Town Council
Incumbents Neil Benton and Judith (Judy) Katalinic were re-elected to four-year terms. Benton received 31 votes, with Katalinic getting 25 votes.
St. Helena Town Council (unexpired term)
Shirley Jacobs, who ran unopposed, will fill an unexpired term on the St. Helena Town Council. She received 34 votes.
Surf City Town Council
With 1,000 votes -- the most of all candidates -- Andreas "Andy" Pleil will be joining the Surf City Town Council. Incumbent Hugh A. Cannady also won reelection with 680 votes. Incumbent Jeremy Shugarts lost his reelection bid. Jillian Rodrigues de Miranda also was not elected. The winners will each serve a four-year term.
Topsail Beach Mayor
Frank Baxton, who ran unopposed, will once again serve as the Topsail Beach mayor. He received 155 votes.
Topsail Beach Commissioner
Incumbents John Best and Nancy Kerr Thomason won reelection as Topsail Beach commissioners. Alex Arab will join them on the board. Best received 143 votes, with Thomason getting 136 votes and Arab receiving 99 votes. Incumbent Tim Zizack did not win reelection.
Watha Mayor
Needham C. Hall, who ran unopposed, will once again serve a four-year term as the Watha mayor. He received 15 votes.
Watha Commissioner
Incumbents Ken Fountain and Rachel Stadsvold were reelected. Samuel Miller will join them as a commissioner. Incumbent Craig did not win reelection. Fountain received 15 votes, with Miller getting 11 votes and Stadsvold receiving 10 votes. They will each serve a four-year term.