Setting the Record Straight About My Election Protest with Clarity and Transparency

I want to address the recent election protest I filed, so there’s no speculation or rumors—just the truth, straight from me.

First, I do not believe the reported numbers reflect what actually happened. Every day, I personally witnessed the number of supporters who came out for me, and the official results simply don’t match what I saw with my own eyes.

In the mayor’s race, there was a name left on the ballot, and the votes for that candidate were so close to the margin that separated the two main parties, it’s ethically challenging not to call for a re-run. When the difference is that slim, every vote counts, and every detail matters.

There are also serious questions about the residency of several candidates:

• Ashley Kornegay publicly stated she just moved to Kinston at the beginning of the year. The exact date is crucial, because you must be a resident for at least six months before filing to run.

  
  

• Milton Foster used a Stallings Ave address for his candidacy, but the Lenoir County tax records show his primary address as 2542 Old Dutch Ct, which is not within the city limits of Kinston.

  
  

• Lester Lipford listed a Susan Street address on his filing, but there is significant speculation that he actually resides at Wolf Ln in the Hugo fire district area, which is outside the city limits of Kinston.

  
  

The conduct at the polls during this election displayed numerous violations that can be proven. I personally witnessed candidates and their supporters crossing the polling line, running up to cars, and even entering the polling place to watch people cast their ballots. There were instances of individuals calling in and making false complaints against other candidates, creating confusion and intimidation. These actions are clear breaches of election protocol and undermine the fairness and integrity of the voting process. The list of violations goes on, and it’s crucial that these issues are brought to light and addressed to protect the rights of every voter in Kinston.

I also must address the lack of integrity behind Sean Keenan’s motive for filing an untimely protest. It’s clear that this protest was not about upholding the law or protecting the democratic process, but rather about personal grievances. Although I was found to be on unsupervised probation I was however a registered voter allowed to vote and run for office. What’s even more troubling is that the election board continued to pursue this protest even after I didn’t win, despite Sean Keenan stating he would withdraw the protest if I did not win. The protest should have never been filed in the first place, and the board’s decision to move forward with it raises serious concerns about fairness and transparency in our local elections.

I am speaking out not just for myself, but for the integrity of our elections and the future of Kinston. I want everyone to know the facts, and I encourage anyone with questions to reach out directly. Let’s demand transparency, fairness, and accountability—because our community deserves nothing less.

This is democracy, and such discrepancies should not be taken lightly. As a resident and community activist, I have a duty to ensure that democracy is held to the highest standards—and I will fight to have a re-election.