Democrats take control of Wake County Commission
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Four Republicans on the Wake County Board of Commissioners lost their re-election bids Tuesday -- giving Democrats all seven seats on the board.
Democrats John Burns, Matt Calabria, Jessica Holmes, and Sig Hutchinson all got more than 50-percent of the vote, according to unofficial results.
Republicans Joe Bryant and Paul Coble, Rich Gianni, and board Chairman Phil Matthews all went down in defeat.
"I think that the voters said that they're tired of the partisanship and they're ready to move Wake County forward," said Hutchinson.
The newly elected commissioners ran on promises to plan public transit and support education.
"Our citizens clearly understand the importance of a good quality education school system that starts with good teachers. We have to pay teachers according to the value they bring to our community," Hutchinson said.
Before the election, Republicans argued a Democratic-led commission would get tax happy to pay for all the support.
"I think it's too early to talk about what's going to happen by next year, but I do hope the public understands we want to hear from them and we want to work with them and we want to support our local school system," said District 4 Commissioner Caroline Sullivan, when asked if Wake County residents should now expect higher taxes.
"I think they were speaking out strongly for support of our local public schools," Sullivan added. "People want us to get along, people are tired of squabbling and decisiveness."
Republicans have held a 4-3 edge on the board, which has led to battles with the Democrat controlled school board over funding.
The new commissioners will take over next month.
