West will keep seat on board
By Steve Herring
Published in News on November 5, 2014 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/STEVE HERRING
District 1 school board candidate Chris West, left, writes down results at the Board of Elections Tuesday evening, as his son, Zach West, looks on.
Chris West Tuesday handily won his second term as the District 1 representative on the Wayne County Board of Education defeating newcomer Phillip Sexton.
West had 3,399 votes, or 62.64 percent of the vote, to 1,191, or 36.69 percent, for Sexton.
"I was happy with the numbers," West said. "A win is a win. I worked hard. I am just excited that I get an opportunity to try and carry on. We have a lot going on with the building projects, and I am just excited to be part of it."
West said he had not really known what to expect for a turnout. Anyone who says he does know must have a "crystal ball," he said.
"I don't know how you can tell. We are sitting up here right now and until we get 30 (precincts) for 30 -- nothing is a given until it is over."
West started out the GOP downtown headquarters trying to get the vote tallies, but moved to the Board of Elections office after the state Board of Elections website crashed.
West, 56, is currently serving as board vice chairman.
A Wayne County native of the Genoa community, West, a general contractor, has lived in Pikeville for 22 years.
"I am just happy that hopefully we are just doing something that is getting the attention of voters that they are excited about and want to see continue," he said. "We have worked pretty hard for the past four years to get a lot of things done with the school system. But we have a lot more work to do.
"I am happy we have done a good enough job representing the people that they want us to continue."
West said the school board has a "pretty good plan."
He said he is particularly excited about the renovation project at Charles B. Aycock High School and not just because it is in his district, but because it is much-needed and long-overdue.
West said that even though he represents District 1, he actually represents all of the county and wants to hear from people countywide.
School board races are nonpartisan and looking at the results West said he enjoyed broad-based support.
"I have been in the county all of my life so I know a lot of people, Democrats and Republicans alike," he said. "I think I was supported by both parties."
Sexton could not be reached for comment prior to press time this morning.
West will be sworn into office at the school board's first meeting in December.