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Incumbent Parton, newcomer Lawson win Swain County Commission Republican primary

Kenneth Parton, left, an incumbent, finished second in the Republican primary behind newcomer Tanner Lawson, right. Kenneth Parton, left, an incumbent, finished second in the Republican primary behind newcomer Tanner Lawson, right. Donated photos

Incumbent Kenneth Parton and newcomer Tanner Lawson have won the Swain County Commission Republican primary.

 

Lawson is a youth pastor who said he felt called to run after serving on numerous local boards. Parton, an incumbent, is about to finish up his second term and is seeking a third.

Lawson finished with the highest vote total at 793, 37.11%, while Parton finished with 736, 34.44%. Eric Watson, another newcomer, finished with 608, 28.45%.

Several unaffiliated candidates have sought signatures to claim a spot on the general election ballot, but it isn’t known whether anyone has officially gained the 390 signatures needed.

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