Murphy wins Kinston mayor's seat by nose

B.J. Murphy, a 29-year-old businessman who ran and lost the race for Kinston mayor four years ago, ran and won Tuesday, finishing a mere 61 votes ahead of the second-place finisher.

Murphy collected 1,337 votes to edge out retired businessman Earl Harper (1,276) and City Council veteran Jimmy Counins (903). All vote totals are unofficial until canvassed.

A Republican running in one of the few partisan municipal elections in the state, Murphy will head a Kinston City Council comprised entirely of Democrats. The two council seats in play this year were filled in the Sept. 15 primary and incumbent Robert A. Swinson and newcomer Bobby Merritt enjoyed walk-over wins Tuesday.

During a forum for mayoral candidates two weeks ago, Murphy pledged to form “blue ribbon” commissions to promote small business development alongside industrial growth, to cut back city spending, “hold ElectriCities’ feet to the fire” to bring down electric rates and appeal the U.S. Justice Department’s ruling against non-partisan elections in Kinston.

Four years ago, Murphy lost to current mayor Buddy Ritch in a race that pitted Murphy's youth against the experience of a man who had already served three terms as mayor.

Elsewhere in Lenoir County:

-- Treva Brigman retained her seat as mayor of Pink Hill, defeating Royce Swinson 73-55.

-- Donald R. King (113), Mike Hill (85) and Carol Sykes (81) won seats on the Pink Hill town board in a four-person race.

-- In La Grange, Bobby Wooten (315), David S. Holmes (280) and Veronica (Nicky) Lee won seats on the town board in a five-person race.

-- A bid to bring mixed drinks to La Grange failed 249-220.