Long newcomer to county commission

Bryant, Moss, Ussery retain seats

By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com

ROCKINGHAM — By the time the final precincts across Richmond County reported in, Herbie Long had already been able to relax.

Kevin Spradlin Herbie Long, left, reviews the numbers inside the Richmond County GIS office Tuesday night. The office, located next door to the Richmond County Board of Elections, was used as a way station for those seeking updated results as precincts reported across the county.

Kevin Spradlin
Herbie Long, left, reviews the numbers inside the Richmond County GIS office Tuesday night. The office, located next door to the Richmond County Board of Elections, was used as a way station for those seeking updated results as precincts reported across the county.

In the race for Richmond County commissioner, it didn’t matter if he finished in first place, with the highest number of votes. Or second. Regardless of the gap, the top four vote-getters earned seats on the board of commissioners Tuesday. Four candidates were happy, two had to be somewhat disappointed in the results.

Long, a retired Ellerbe Telephone executive, was a little surprised at being elected to office his first time running. He noted that commissioners Ben Moss and Jimmy Capps each ran multiple times before winning a seat.

“I’m pleased, and ready to go to work,” Long said outside the Richmond County Board of Elections office on South Hancock Street.

Incumbent Don M. Bryant was the top vote-getter with 6,817 votes. Moss was second with 6,746, followed by Long (6,490) and incumbent Thad Ussery (6,337).

Challengers Donnie Richardson was fifth, and the first on the outside looking in, with 5,589 votes with Peggy Covington was sixth with 5,382 votes.

Thad Ussery

Thad Ussery

While the race for sheriff and the result of the proposed quarter-cent sales tax referendum was decided early — the latter with barely a third of the percents reported already showed a decisive pattern — the race for commissioner was too close to call for much of the evening.

Long said he wasn’t sure what set himself apart from the other candidates. After all, he said, each candidate wants more jobs and better education in Richmond County.

Long said the county’s No. 1 object is clear.

“We n eed to find out why industry’s not coming to the county,” Long said.

Is it a lack of a ready and trained workforce? A lack of infrastructure? He wasn’t sure. He said Richmond Community College is an integral part of the future of the county and if there’s something college officials need — such as more classroom space — they should get it.

 

Don M. Bryant

Don M. Bryant

Ben Moss

Ben Moss

Filed in: Latest Headlines

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