DURHAM -- Incumbent W.A. "Winkie" Wilkins withstood a challenge from Fred Foster Jr. and R. Miles Standish to win the Democratic spot on the November ballot for N.C. House District 55.
In Person, Wilkins walked away with 4,106 votes, or 71.9 percent. Foster received 1,370 votes, or 24 percent. R. Miles Standish came in a distant third with 232 votes, or 4 percent. In Durham, Foster fared better, winning 1,520 votes, or 63.4 percent, compared to Wilkins' 763 votes (31.8 percent) and Standish's 116 votes (4.8 percent).
With the combined county votes, Wilkins received 60.1 percent (4,869) of the vote; Foster placed second with 35.7 percent (2,890) and Standish came in with 4.3 percent (347).
"Of course, I am grateful for the Person vote," Wilkins said by phone as the final results came in. "But I am thrilled with the Durham vote."
Wilkins said he has tried hard to represent both parts of his district, and believes the vote affirmed that.
He also attributed his win to those who helped him campaign. "A lot of great friends and a lot of great volunteers ... got out there and carried the message."
He will face Republican candidate Larry Yarborough, who ran unopposed in the primary.
N.C. House District 30
In the race for the N.C. House District 30 seat, Jason Chambers defeated Randy Stewart to become the Republican candidate this fall. Stewart announced in late March that he was suspending his campaign because he could not make the time commitment to serving in the General Assembly.
Chambers received 857 votes, or 75.1 percent, to Stewart's 284 votes (24.9 percent).
Chambers said he was pleased with Tuesday's results. "It was definitely a good win," he said.
"Myself and my supporters are elated. We are very pleased with the results tonight and will carry this momentum to November," Chambers said.
Chambers will face incumbent Democrat Paul Luebke.
N.C. Senate District 23
In the Republican primary, Ryan A. Hilliard defeated Jon "Greg" Bass for a chance to face Democratic incumbent Ellie Kinnaird, who ran unopposed on the Democratic ticket.
Hilliard received 2,240 votes, or 76.4 percent to 693 votes or 23.6 for Bass.
Other local races of note
Speaker of the House Joe Hackney, a Democrat, is being challenged for the District 54 seat by Cathy Sanford Wright, a Republican. They had no primary opponents.
Democrat incumbent Verla Insko is running unopposed for the N.C. House District 56 seat.
Democrat incumbent Bill Faison had no Democratic opponent in the N.C. House District 50 primary. He will face Republican Richard Rex Smith in the November election.
