Morehead City mayoral candidate withdraws appeal, calls for new election
Mayoral candidate Lee Stiles, who has been leading incumbent Mayor Jerry Jones by a single vote, has withdrawn his appeal to the Carteret County Board of Elections, saying a new election is now the “best way forward” for the city.
Stiles confirmed that he is no longer challenging the Board’s decision to elevate Jones’ election protest to the State Board of Elections. The razor-thin margin in the Nov. 5 mayoral race had already triggered a mandatory recount on Nov. 14, which reaffirmed Stiles’ one-vote lead.
In a statement, Stiles said extensive discussions with his attorney, Hart Miles, convinced him that asking the state to intervene further would only prolong uncertainty for voters and city employees.
“After conversing with my attorney, Hart Miles, several different times over the last week or so, we both decided that the best way forward in this situation is to withdraw the appeal and advocate for a new election/runoff,” Stiles said. “The taxpayers are the ones suffering at this point. They are the ones who will pay for a new election. Also, with this election being in limbo, it has put a lot of strain on our city staff. I truly believe the best way forward is to have a new election and that will dispel any rumors or confusion about the fairness of our local election process. I will have to go out and beat Jerry Jones for a third time and I am up for the task.”
https://wcti12.com/news/local/morehead-city-mayoral-candidate-withdraws-appeal-calls-for-new-election