Local News - September 2002

Mitchem, Funderburk win commission race

Lutz falls by 56 votes in close contest

By ALICE SMITH, LTN Staff Writer

September 11, 2002 - In what proved to be the closest race of the night, Carrol Mitchem and James “Buddy” Funderburk unofficially captured the Republican nominations for two county commission seats Tuesday.

Mitchem ended the night with 2,954 votes, 30.17 percent of the total.

Funderburk squeaked by C. Dean Lutz with a total 2,531 — only a 56 vote difference from Lutz’s 2,475. Funderburk claimed 25.85 percent of the night’s votes.

David Pratt received 1,832 votes.

Funderburk and Mitchem stood together in a corner of the Republican Party headquarters on Academy Street as the votes were read out and marked on a dry erase board with a thick black marker.

Cheers erupted as the results were announced, and the two quietly accepted their nominations.

They proclaimed themselves a team, and they promised to fight for the conservative values they stand for.

“It was a close race,” Funderburk said. “I had a good feeling.”

Mitchem expressed happiness that the primaries had come to an end and said he is prepared for another contest.

“I’m ready,” Mitchem said. “We won the battle, but we’ve not won the war.”

Both agreed that voters made the right decision by choosing two ultra-conservative candidates.

Mitchem said the results prove the people want true conservative leadership.

“With me and Buddy on the board, I think you’ll see conservatism to the extreme,” Mitchem told those gathered at the headquarters.

“Hopefully, we’ll make a difference,” Funderburk said in his speech.

Doris Lail, Republican Party chairwoman for Lincoln County, said she is pleased with the current slate of candidates.

“I think we have a fantastic chance to win it all …,” she said.

“We’re going to work the hardest and we’re going to win the whole thing in November.”

Sara Funderburk, 17, stood by her father during the vote tabulation.

“I’m very, very excited,” she said. “It was a new experience for me working in the election. I’m so excited to get him through the next part.”

Joyce Mitchem, Carrol Mitchem’s mother, said she thinks her son will make an excellent commissioner.

“Carrol has always wanted to be in politics,” she said. “I’m happy for him and I’m proud. I didn’t think I’d ever be in this position.”

Funderburk, 56, owns Funderburk Batteries and has served on the planning board and the board of adjustments.

Mitchem, 46, is a full-time farmer and owner of Mitchem’s Kitchen.

The two will face Democrats Tom Martin and Stanley Roseboro in November.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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