Fayetteville City Council District 5: Dawkins beats challenger LaChance more than 2-to-1

Long-time incumbent City Councilman Johnny Dawkins handily defeated challenger Frederick G. LaChance III on Tuesday in the Fayetteville elections.

In unofficial returns, Dawkins led LaChance 1,653 to 750, or 68.2% to 31.13%, with 14 of 14 precincts reported.

Dawkins on Tuesday night said his campaign team has been working toward reelection since March 2021, as this election was scheduled to have primaries in October and the general election in November.

But in addition to raising money, sending out hundreds of letters and otherwise campaigning hard, Dawkins said the voters picked him because of his service to the district.

Fayetteville mayor, city council election: See full election results here

“When a constituent hollers, we come running,” Dawkins said. “That’s how my dad did it, and that’s how he trained me to do it and that’s how I do it.” Dawkins’ father was the late J.L. Dawkins, who served many years on the City Council and as mayor.

He said the voters have appreciated his focus on public safety and expanding stormwater infrastructure.

LaChance was graceful in defeat on Tuesday night.

“I just want to congratulate Johnny,” he said. “That’s a good thing for him, and he’s a really polite guy. We had some good talks, and I have no problems with him at all.

“Other than the fact I didn’t win,” he added with a chuckle.

District 5 includes Briarwood, Buckhead, Forest Lakes, Kingsford, Lockwood, Murray Hills, Stonebridge, Tallywood and Welmar.

Senior North Carolina reporter Paul Woolverton can be reached at pwoolverton@gannett.com or 910-261-4710.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville City Council election: Dawkins beats challenger LaChance