NEW BERN, N.C. (WITN) – In September, 470 voters cast early ballots, but 489 turned out Thursday for the high-stakes New Bern mayoral runoff between incumbent Jeffrey Odham and candidate Holly Raby.
Voters made their way inside the Stanley White Recreation Building again, but this time to cast their runoff ballots, and in the parking lot, Odham and Raby felt even more confident this time around.
“We decided to give it a run for the money. We put a lot into this effort, and we believe that this time around, we’re going to come out victorious,” Raby said.
“We’re running this race as if we’re behind because that’s the way you have to play this,” Odham said. “I’m very confident that we’re going to win and that’s all based on the fact that our folks come out and vote.”
Raby requested a runoff after the unofficial results on October 7th showed Odham short by 47 votes of the threshold to win, with Odham at 49.3% and Raby at 41.6%.
“I’ve run for office four times, and I’ve had runoffs. This will be the third one now, but each time before, I was actually in second place, requested the runoff, and ended up winning,” Odham said. “I think the biggest difference this time is the margin of victory. We won the election Tuesday night by 480 votes.”
The Craven County Board of Elections shows that Odham had 479 votes over Raby.
“We were very close, and so we felt like we ran a good first initial campaign, and so we still had gas in the tank. By looking at the numbers, we felt like we had an even greater chance this time around,” Raby said.
Wednesday night, both candidates debated hot topics, such as electric rates, and even the handling of 2024’s year-long vacant Alderman Ward 6 seat, which Dana Outlaw won on October 7th.
“They [residents of Ward 6] weren’t given the process of who they desire to have versus who the mayor desires,” Raby said. “As far as leadership goes, we could have done something much sooner. It could have happened two months out when that seat became vacant or even six weeks out. I believe that the process wasn’t there, and the experience didn’t make it happen.”
“What was the process that was missed? Because I called for a special meeting as soon as we knew it was vacant. We had an attorney who sat there and gave us guidance and direction, and we followed it. Ultimately, the gentleman that I had supported for over a year was overwhelmingly elected by the people in Ward 6,” Odham said.
Voters are also deciding the Ward 4 Alderman seat between incumbent Johnnie Kinsey and Lainey White after a runoff for that race was also requested.
To avoid a runoff, a candidate must exceed 50% of the vote.
With Odham and Raby being the only two names on the mayor’s ballot, they’re calling on everyone to come to the polls to decide New Bern’s next mayor.
The mayor’s race and the Ward 4 Alderman race will be decided on November 4th.
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