Davidson voters unseat mayor, 2 commissioners after campaign focused on development

Davidson voters swept a new mayor and four town commissioners into office Tuesday after a campaign that focused on development in the northern Mecklenburg County town.

Real estate agent and musician Rusty Knox, whose father had also served as Davidson’s mayor, beat incumbent John Woods with 57 percent of the vote to Woods’ 26 percent. Knox had led a campaign against a downtown development proposal that he argued would ruin Davidson’s small-town vibe.

Incumbent Jim Fuller led voting for five commissioner seats, followed by newcomers Matthew Fort, Autumn Michael and Jane Campbell. David Sitton held an eight-vote lead over Shana Erber for the fifth seat, an outcome that could change when votes are canvassed or if Erber challenges them. Incumbents Stacey Anderson and Rodney Graham lost their seats.

“Saved Davidson!” the group Save Davidson, which had fought several development proposals, posted on its Facebook page. The group had endorsed all the winning candidates except Campbell.

Unofficial results in Mecklenburg’s other towns outside Charlotte:

Cornelius

Mayor: Woody Washam Jr. was unopposed.

Commissioners: Mike Miltich, Kurt Naas, Dave Gilroy, Denis Bilodeau, Thurman Ross Jr.

Huntersville

Mayor: John Aneralla was unopposed.

Commissioners: Melinda Bales, Brian Hines, Nick Walsh, Dan Boone, Mark Gibbons, Danny Phillips.

Matthews

Mayor: Paul Bailey beat Larry Whitley 59 percent to 40 percent.

Commissioners: John Higdon, Barbara Dement, Chris Melton, Kress Query, Jeff Miller, John Urban.

Mint Hill

Mayor: Ted Biggers was unopposed.

Commissioners: Tina Ross, Richard Newton, Dale Dalton, Mike Cochrane.

Pineville

Mayor: Jack Edwards beat two challengers with 57 percent of the vote.

Council: Joe Maxim and Melissa Rogers Davis.

Stallings

Mayor: Wyatt Dunn was unopposed.

Council: John Martin, David Scholl, Lynda Paxton, Deborah Romanow.

This story was originally published November 8, 2017 at 8:44 AM with the headline "Davidson voters unseat mayor, 2 commissioners after campaign focused on development."