Decision 2008

It took 2 days, but North Carolina’s presidential selection has finally been called.

The Associated Press declared Barack Obama the winner over challenger John McCain after determining the number of outstanding provisional ballots was not enough for McCain to close a 13,693-vote deficit.

It’s kinda crazy — we finally get to play on the national election stage, but we couldn’t get it together for our electoral votes to actually get any play.

Oh well, there’s always 2012.

A democratic organizer talks with Onslow County Commissioner hopeful Ernie Wright after news of his loss:

Absentee ballots appear to have bumped Padgett out of the top five and Paul Buchanan is in…

North Carolina split almost exactly down the middle in the presidential vote. With 95 of 100 counties reporting, Obama/Biden have 49.49 percent of the votes, while McCain/Palin have 49.59 percent. Nationally, McCain didn’t do so well. All the major networks have projected that Barack Obama has won the presidency, and John McCain has given his concession speech.

It also looks like incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Dole has lost her re-election bid… Democrat Kay Hagan is leading 2,121,881 votes to 1,793,664 (52.49 percent to 44.37 percent) with 95 of 100 counties reporting.

In the governor race, Bev Perdue has about 50 percent of the vote, while Pat McCrory has 47 percent — he’s already given his concession speech.

There are 2,348 absentee ballots being counted at the Onslow County Board of Elections according to reports.

All 24 precincts in Onslow County are now reporting. Unofficial results for the Onslow County Comissioners five spots are:

Barbar Ikner (R) with 11.75 - 21,508

W.C. Jarman (R) with 11.24 - 20,578

Bill Keller (R) with 10.88 - 19,914

Tony Padgett (D) with 10.86 - 19,878

Lionell Midgett (R) with 10.84 - 19,831

Official results will be released following the Nov. 14 canvas.

Incumbent Paul Buchanan (R) results came in at 10.83 - 19,813, close enough for a recount.

The Register of Deeds race came in close with Maryland Kaye Washington (D) at 50.20 percent with 22,250 votes, while Becky Pollard (R) finished at 49.80 percent with 22, 071 votes.

Reporters interview Bill Keller and Tony Padgett after they hear the news:

According to the unofficial results, it looks like Barbara Melton Ikner, W.C. Jarman, Bill Keller, Tony Padgett and Lionell Midgett are the new Onslow County commissioners.

President:
Obama/Biden: 39.4% (18,610 votes)
McCain/Palin: 59.78% (28,240)
Barr/Root: 0.55% (258)

U.S. Senate
Kay Hagan: 44.1% (20,478 votes)
Elizabeth Dole: 51.3% (23,824)
Christopher Cole: 4.54% (2,108)

House District 3
Craig Weber: 36.68% (16,727 votes)
Walter Jones: 63.32% (28,877)

Governor
Bev Perdue: 50.75 % (23,514 votes)
Pat McCrory: 45.24% (20,962)
Michael Munger: 4.01% (1,856)

Lt. Gov.
Walter Dalton: 45% (20,249 votes)
Robert Pittenger: 50.84% (22,877)
Phillip Rhodes: 4.16% (1,873)

County Commissioner
John Burns: 7.86% (14,377 votes)
Tony Padgett: 10.86% (19,878)
William Rouse Jr.: 7.04% (12,885)
Don Sweeting: 9% (16,464)
Ernie Wright: 9.71% (17,765)
Paul Buchanan: 10.83% (19,813)
Barbara Melton Ikner: 11.75% (21,508)
W.C. Jarman: 11.24% (20,578)
Bill Keller: 10.88% (19,914)
Lionell Midgett: 10.84% (19,831)

Register of deeds:
Maryland Kaye Washington: 50.2% (22,250 votes)
Becky Pollard: 49.8% (22,071)

Sales tax
For: 44.08% (18,637 votes)
Against: 55.92% (23,642)