With the majority of precincts reporting Tuesday, two Republicans seeking Neil Cooksey’s District 5 seat on the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners appeared headed for a runoff.
Matthew Ridenhour, one of four Republicans vying for Cooksey’s seat, had a slight lead with close to 35 percent of votes. Sarah Cherne had close to 33 percent.
In the Democratic primary for the District 5 seat, Paula Harvey easily outdistanced Lisa Rudisill.
Cooksey, a two-term commissioner, did not seek re-election.
Cherne, who has not run for public office before, said she would “absolutely” call for a runoff election.
Ridenhour ran for a Charlotte City Council at-large seat in 2009.
The likely GOP runoff would be held July 17; the winner will face Democrat Harvey in November.
In District 1, Democratic political neophyte Keith Bradford may face Commissioner Karen Bentley, the Republican incumbent who was unopposed in the GOP primary in the Republican-leaning district.
The Democratic primary race was very tight late Tuesday. Bradford had slightly over 50 percent – 3,645 votes – late Tuesday. Opponent Leonard Richardson had close to 50 percent – or 3,582 votes.
