Local elections
In November, political newcomer Susan Martin defeated Wilson attorney Mark Bibbs in the race for the District 8 seat in the North Carolina House. The battle between the two grew heated as the race progressed. Bibbs accused Martin and Republicans of using a negative campaign to sway voters against him. The District 8 seat includes Pitt County. In May, Bruce Rose was elected to his seventh term as Wilson's mayor. Rose was challenged by three candidates. But voters overwhelmingly supported Rose by giving him 64 percent of the votes cast in the race. His closest challenger was M.K. Smith, who received 27 percent of the vote.
