Results from the second republican primary
May 15—CALDWELL COUNTY — The Republican Party's second primary was held on Tuesday, May 14, to determine the republican nominees for the North Carolina 2024 Gubernatorial and NC Auditor races, as well as the republican nominee in the U.S. House of Representatives for North Carolina's 13th district. With results reported for all 15 precincts, the unofficial results are in.
The election featured especially low voter turnout, less than 2% countywide, according to the Caldwell County Board of Elections. The turnout mirrors the less than 3% statewide participation.
Hal Weatherman beat Jim O'Neill for the N.C. lieutenant governor nomination with 94,461 votes, or 74.42%, statewide. Within Caldwell county, Weatherman performed somewhat better, securing 708 votes over O'Neill's 125, amounting 84.99% of the total. Weatherman will go on to face Democratic candidate Rachel Hunt and Libertarian Dee Watson in the November.
In a much more even election, Dave Boliek beat Jack Clark for the republican nomination for N.C. auditor with 66,895 votes over Clark's 58,974, leaving Boliek with 56.26% of votes across the state. Although he still lost, Clark did earn a higher percentage in Caldwell County, earning 373 votes to Boliek's 416 — leaving them 47.28% to 52.72% in Caldwell County. Boliek will proceed to the race against Democratic candidate Jessica Holmes and Libertarian Bob Drach.
To secure the nomination for the U.S. House to represent district 13, Brad Knott beat Kelly Daughtry 19,581 to1,991, earning more than 90% of the vote. Following an April endorsement from former President Donald Trump for Knott, Daughtry suspended her campaign on May 2 and endorsed Knott prior to the runoff, according to the Associated Press. Daughtry's campaign suspension came too late for her name to be removed from the ballot. Knott will go on to run against democrat Frank Pierce in the general.
