2012 Candidate Forums

North Carolina State Senator David Rouzer is calling for a recount in the race for the 7th congressional district. WHQR’s Sara Wood reports the republican made the announcement yesterday, which was the deadline for candidates to request a mandatory recount.

The race for the seat in North Carolina’s 7th Congressional District was one of the most-watched and tightly-fought races in the Cape Fear region.  The incumbent, Democratic Congressman Mike McIntyre, faced a tough contest – particularly after the latest round of redistricting removed his home county of Robeson.  But as WHQR’s Rachel Lewis Hilburn reports, there’s still no clear answer on who won the race. 

Last night the race among the 6 New Hanover County commission candidates was close. Voters elected two new commissioners and brought back a familiar face. Chairman Jonathan Barfield earned another term, while newcomer Republicans Woody White and Beth Dawson join the board. WHQR’s Sara Wood reports Dawson is the first woman elected to the commission since 2008.

Dawson captured the second highest percentage of votes, winning a seat with 18 percent. She says she plans to work hard to build consensus, even if the road ahead requires some patience.

After almost a year of negotiations and emotional debate, Wilmington’s 37-million dollar stadium referendum died last night. WHQR’s Sara Wood reports the referendum was defeated in every precinct in the City of Wilmington.

Seventy percent of voters within the City of Wilmington rejected the referendum. But both sides of the issue remained optimistic until the very end. Scott Harry with the Vote No Stadium Tax Committee says voters were heard loud and clear. And now he wants the New Hanover County Commissioners to hear their message, too.

While record numbers of North Carolina voters cast early ballots before One Stop Voting ends Saturday, the state board of elections is concerned with reports of inappropriate behavior at the polls. From fighting to voter misinformation, WHQR’s Sara Wood has more on the growing emotions of this election season.

Democratic Candidate Danny Hefner is hoping to beat Incumbent State Senator Bill Rabon, a Republican, in the race for the seat in District 8. 

During last night’s State House District 19 Candidate Forum at WHQR, Republican Candidate and Incumbent Ted Davis and Democratic Candidate Emilie Swearingen agreed on a handful of issues. 

The environment took center stage during last night’s State House District 20 Candidate Forum in the WHQR Gallery. 

During the May 8 primary elections, some voters arriving at Devon Park Methodist Church questioned the message on the church’s sign that said: “A TRUE MARRIAGE IS MALE AND FEMALE AND GOD.”

Today is the last day for New Hanover County residents to register to vote for the November 6 election. But if you haven’t made this happen yet, don’t fear. WHQR’s Sara Wood found some good advice for weathering voting season.

With less than a week before One Stop Voting, or early voting, begins, Elections Director Marvin McFadyen says the most important thing for voters to do is make sure registration is up to date and accurate.