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Incumbent survives challenge by former mayor Jackie Warner by 11-vote margin in election highlighting town’s political divisions

HOPE MILLS — Mayor Jessie Bellflowers has secured a second term by the narrowest of margins, defeating former mayor Jackie Warner by just 11 votes in an election that revealed deep divisions within this growing Cumberland County community.

According to official results, Bellflowers received 1,182 votes (50.12%) to Warner’s 1,171 votes (49.66%), with 7 write-in votes completing the tally. The election saw notably higher turnout than previous municipal contests, with 2,360 voters participating compared to approximately 1,900 in the last mayoral race.

The contest represented a clash of visions for Hope Mills’ future. Bellflowers, who previously served five terms as a town commissioner before becoming mayor, ran on his record of managing the town’s rapid growth and maintaining its small-town character. Warner, who served as mayor from 2011-2015, emphasized her experience and criticized the current administration’s handling of development issues.

Local political observers noted the campaign grew increasingly heated in its final weeks, with both candidates questioning each other’s records and leadership styles. The close result—within the 1% threshold that allows for a candidate-funded recount—has sparked discussion about whether Warner will challenge the outcome.

Beyond the mayoral race, voters returned incumbent commissioners Grilley Mitchell (1,423 votes) and Bryan Marley (1,194 votes) to office, while newcomer Muryam Kiani secured the third available seat with 970 votes. The commissioner elections drew eight candidates for three seats, indicating strong community engagement in local governance.

The election results suggest Hope Mills remains evenly divided between residents favoring cautious growth and those advocating for more aggressive development. Bellflowers’ narrow victory indicates he will need to bridge these divisions during his second term.

Local elections have immediate consequences for community development, taxes, and quality of life. With margins this slim, every vote truly matters. Stay informed about town council developments and future elections at ccnc.news.