Kennedy Springs Upset in Local Primary
Jennifer Berk shows off her sticker after voting Tuesday morning.
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Novice politician Craig Kennedy has pulled off a stunning upset, ousting incumbent Cindy Morgan from the Republican candidacy for the District III seat on the Moore County Board of Commissioners.
In his first run for political office, the Westmoore man defeated Morgan 3,695 to 3,246 in the Tuesday primary election. With no Democratic opposition, Kennedy faces certain victory in the November general election.
Kennedy conducted a low key race, in which he spent less than one thousand dollars, all funded by himself. He said he accepted no donations.
“I am a little surprised and very grateful,” he said in a telephone interview Tuesday night.
He attributed his win largely to one on one contact with the public.
“My family and friends did get out there and stump for me, and I’m really grateful for all they did,” Kennedy said. “It was a good clean race.”
Morgan, who was better known and had the advantage of incumbency, said she had no idea what led to her defeat, although she expressed the opinion that the low turnout at the polls may have been a factor. She admitted disappointment and said she has worked extremely hard, putting in long hours, on county projects and needs, since she was elected three and a half years ago.
She too was surprised at the loss but said she plans to congratulate Kennedy on his win.
Asked if the loss may reflect any sort of backlash from her husband’s sometimes controversial political career, Morgan said she did not know. Her husband, Richard T. Morgan, also went down in his attempt to unseat veteran state Senator Harris Blake in the Senate District 22 Republican primary. The former co-speaker of the state House of Representatives served several terms in the House but was a divisive figure among some GOP leaders.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Moore County in the past three and a half years, and I have enjoyed working with Chairman (Tim) Lea and the other commissioners,” she said.
Kennedy said he avoided expensive campaign tactics and devoted his resources to distribution of campaign cards and a few signs erected at strategic places. The rest of his campaign money was spent on such expenses as the filing fee and transportation.
“I don’t owe anything to anybody, just to the citizens of Moore County. I will go into office unbeholden to anyone,” Kennedy said. “I look forward to working with the citizens of Moore County.”
Kennedy centered his campaign on the need to promote economic development, with emphasis on the needs of the northern part of the county.
The 37-year old Kennedy is a truck driver hauling bulk feed for Mountaire Farms. A native of Moore County, he returned to his home community a few years ago after working for Federal Express in Greensboro, the Washington, D.C. area, and the Tidewater region of Virginia. He is a 1990 graduate of North Moore High School and of Guilford Technical College.
His wife is the former Keesha Cross of Asheboro, and they have three young daughters.
Morgan is completing the fourth year of her first term on the board. She now serves as vice-chairwoman and also chairs the Board of Social Services.
In recent months she has coordinated efforts to promote cooperation and understanding between the county and municipal governments on water and sewer issues. Describing herself as a fiscal conservative, she has worked for economic development and supported measures to erect buildings to meet the growing needs of the jail and public safety agencies as well as the need for larger and more efficient office space for county agencies.
With a background in nursing, she is associate vice-president for innovation and professional development with the Association of Home and Hospice Care of North Carolina. She holds a Master’s degree in nursing administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She and her husband live in Eagle Springs.
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Comments
Getalife 3 years ago
Thank you Pilot!! Your endorsement of the Morgans cast a distinctive shadow on them. Let's do it again in the next election!
On second thought, these were Republican races. You should only make recommendations for the election of Democratic candidates. Republicans are capable of thinking for themselves. Blake in a landslide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
love2video 3 years ago
This is the perfect ending to a beautiful day! :)
clbvpm 3 years ago
Could it be Mrs. Morgan's stance on the airport expansion that caused her the election? That is why she lost my vote. That is a project that should be tabled until the county budget crisis is settled. There are more pressing issues the county commissioners should address. Commissioners beware.
justjoe 3 years ago
Two Morgans in one day. There is hope indeed!
coffecreme 3 years ago
Maybe she lost because she was already running for Blakes seat a year after she became a county commissioner.
GoldenDreams 3 years ago
Sounds great to me! I didn't vote because I felt apathetic, like most other people. But I must admit, this Kennedy has caught my interest. He didn't get involved in any glitz or name-dropping, but stuck to issues that are important to him. He apparently knows how to work a dollar, too. I think congratulations are in order!
TooHot 3 years ago
The guy spent less than $1000 of his own money and took no donations? How much did she raise/spend? Sounds more like people voted for 'anybody but Cindy Morgan'.
SoPines4ever 3 years ago
Congrats to Mr. Kennedy. The voters have had enough of Richard Morgan and his wife.
GeorgiaMan 3 years ago
I voted and glad I did. Now the County Commisioners will have 1 less millionaire on the Board. Maybe this will bring Lea back to a reality. I hope that Richard got the double message and stay out of politics forever. America "What a Country" and Thank you to Moore County for voting the right way in this election.
clbvpm 3 years ago
Tim Lea next!!
SCCstudent 3 years ago
How about Larry Caddell before he spends millions on another golf course!! Good riddance to the Morgans. Hopefully, they will finally get the message. Since Blake and Boles are going back to Raleigh, the only option for animal lovers is to flood the media and their email boxes with disdain for their no vote on HB 460. The poor animals of this county have no one in office representing their interests. Lip service insults one's intelligence!
It's time to let the talking heads in Carthage know how the majority of MC citizens feel about animal abuse and neglect. How about a no-tethering law. Toda tried this once before without substantial support.
Woody 3 years ago
"The poor animals of this county have no one in office representing their interests"
Seriously?
clbvpm 3 years ago
Yes, Larry Caddell, too. I have always thought that being a commissioner on his part is a conflict of interest since he owns the software company the county uses.
dpa3380 3 years ago
Wow!! What a man to run a campaign like Kennedy did!! I proudly cast my vote for Kennedy. The Morgans need to relocate to Florida if they cant get the point that they are no longer accepted as politicians anymore. The people have had enough. Richard Morgan cannot be a republican with his scandalous acts when he was in Raleigh the first go-around. I've spoken to several politicians that hold office in Raleigh and their words are, "We don't want him back up here again." Does that tell you anything Morgan? I think its down right awesome that Kennedy conducted this race the way he did. I personally called Kennedy the night of elections when ther esults were tallied and congratulated him...but guess what, he wasn't home, he was at work. His wife gladly accepted his congratulations from me. She called him while at work to tell him that he had won. What does this tell you about Kennedy? It tells me he is a hard-working, dedicated man to his job. Thats what Moore County needs. Someone who knows how to work hard. I dont know Kennedy personally, but I think he will do a great job for Moore County. Also, he didnt pollute the roadsides with nonsense road signs and costly bill boards. Again Kennedy, Congratulations to you!!
SCCstudent 3 years ago
@Woody=> ChuckTaylor=> I'm sure you meant your comment to be a pun or sarcasm; everytime I drive down some roads in Moore County and see dogs tied to a chain without water, food, in the seering heat and at times during electrical storms, I question the wisdom of those in office to have some humanity and compassion for animals who have no choice regarding their conditions. I'm sure those hunting dogs put in metal boxes on the backs of pickup trucks without water on 100 degree days ~ just for the sport of it ~ and many die due to heat stroke - provides you with as much humor as my post. For the record, Blake and Boles will be remined on a regular basis about their NO vote for HB 460. I know some people who should be tourtured and killed but never a defenseless animal.
Obviously you are in the dark regarding puppy mills like the one operated in Davidson County for over a decade. Most dogs had to be euthinized because of years of standing in cages...get real guys!
eyeswideopen 3 years ago
Having known both of the Morgan's my entire life has made it clear to me that politics have truly and completely corrupted what used to be caring, honest people of integrity. Please let this be a wake up call to return to your roots and reflect on what is truly important in life and I assure you both it is not politics.....
silentbob 3 years ago
SCC Student I have to agree with you on this one. I have always said if you have to tie a dog to a tree you don't need a dog. That to me is cruel punishment they are made to run free. Humans create the animal population problem by not having their pets fixed it is not there fault.
clbvpm 3 years ago
SCCstudent.."I'm sure those hunting dogs put in metal boxes on the backs of pickup trucks without water on 100 degree days ~ just for the sport of it ~ and many die due to heat stroke "
....Most hunters care more about their dogs than they do members of their own family. Hunting dogs are quite expensive. I know one dog who eats steaks everyday, the kids in the household don't. I also know one man who sat in his front yard and held his dead dog while crying like a baby for hours.
I agree with the rest of your post and your stance on HB 460.
GoldenDreams 3 years ago
SCCStudent, you remind me a lot of Toda and I miss him on these posts. You both are animal advocates and I commend you for that. Why oh why is it so hard for people to accept that animals are sentient beings with feelings like the rest of us. They are meant to be loved and respected, with a good life from their owners. I have been on these boards many times telling about the horror stories I've seen with animals tied to trees, no food, no water, in terrible weather conditions (hot and cold) and no one seems to care. And have you ever tried calling the police? They think you are crazy because you want to protect or defend an animal. Something has to change in North Carolina. This is the worst state I have ever lived in for animal welfare. And thanks for the tips about Boles and Blake. They will never get my vote! Maybe this Kennedy will want to change things.
SCCstudent 3 years ago
@clbvpm => Not doubt that some hunters value their dogs; ergos those who consider them to be nothing but expendable property. An old aquantance of mine who lives in West End had three prized deer dogs boxed in a truck bed, and only after being offered several hundred dollars earlier that morning ~ when it was cool ~ he was ready to sell around 2:30 only to find that all three dogs were dead. He loved his dogs as well!!!
@silentbob=> I'm not so sure I agree or an concur with "they are made to run free." I'm sure if you re-think your statement, dogs or cats running free can become nusiences and can get into some problems when it comes to others property ~ or what they leave on others property. Fenced in yards are great for pets to exercise - not those Lowes 6 x 6's where dogs can only trample in their own waste. Just my thoughts, but every dog owner who chains a dog to a stake or tree should have to spend the same amout of time tied to the same stake....animals have feelings, experience pain, and express love or loss. Just like humans.
SCCstudent 3 years ago
Thank you GoldenDreams for your concern and love for animals as well. I can't say that Toda didn't try, I miss him as well. Since I know him, I'm trying to convience him to start posting again...time will tell ;-) I know he still reads some of the posts!
SCCstudent 3 years ago
BTW GoldenDreams => if you have a FB page go to CNN discussion boards and you'll find Toda....
GoldenDreams 3 years ago
SCCstudent, thank you so much. I am in touch with toda as well and trying to get him to post on The Pilot again, too. I appreciate your stand on animal rights and will follow what you have to say. Don't give up! We all may be able to do something positive for animals in the future.