Results are in: early New Bern election poll shows big margins for several candidates
Earlier this week, the New Bern Sun Journal surveyed the residents of New Bern as to who they think will win the upcoming mayoral and aldermen elections.
Results of the two-day, unscientific poll showed more than 100 residents participated as to who they think will become the city's next leaders during the May 17 Craven County primary.
Along with the races for mayor and board of aldermen, voters will see county-wide races for the Craven County Board of Education and Craven County Board of Commissioners.
The candidates who are elected to represent their respective parties in the county primaries will move on to the general election in November.
Early voting numbers have increased significantly since the last city election in 2017, but still show a small portion of the population participating. Early voting numbers as of Thursday morning show 2,119 residents have voted compared to 1,724 more than four years ago.
In New Bern's mayoral race, current Ward 6 Alderman Jeffrey Odham, former New Bern police chief Toussaint Summers, and city residents Tim Harris and Maxwell Oglesby are the four names residents will see on the ballots.
After surveying the city's response, residents believe Odham will become the city's next mayor after receiving 62% of the poll's votes. Summers came in second with 31% while Oglesby followed with 5% and Harris with 3%.
The board of aldermen consists of six representatives from the city's six wards and the mayor. Several of the aldermen's races are contested while races for Ward 3, 4, and 5 are uncontested.
This means voters will only see one name on the ballot in those wards. However, there is a write-in option for voters to also choose if they would like to write in another candidate's name.
The race for Ward 1 consists of current Alderman Sabrina Bengel, former Ward 5 alderman Bernard White and resident Rick Prill. Residents believe Bengel will become the next Ward 1 alderman with 65% of the poll's votes. White came in second with 22% while Prill followed with 13%.
Current Alderwoman Jameesha Harris and residents Jennell Reddick and Hazel Royal are vying for the chance to represent Ward 2. According to the poll, Reddick is believed to be the next alderman for the second ward receiving 46% of the poll's votes. The incumbent Harris came in second with 32% while Royal followed with 22%.
With Odham filing his candidacy to run for mayor, the city's sixth ward is left open for new representation. The poll shows New Bern residents Bob Brinson and Travis Oakley are neck and neck with the election two days away.
However, Brinson holds a slight advantage as to who residents believe will become the next Ward 6 alderman with 57% of the poll's votes. Oakley followed with 43%.
On Tuesday, May 17, polls will open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Below is a list of polling places in your area. Your voter registration card will also have your polling place listed.
Reporter Trevor Dunnell can be reached by email at tdunnell@newbernsj.com. Please consider supporting local journalism by signing up for a digital subscription.
This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: Early New Bern election poll shows candidates with big leads
