By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

Columbus County Commissioner Lynwood Norris, 73, of Tabor City, will keep his District V seat after a neck and neck race with newcomer Barry Worley, 42, also of Tabor City, in the Primary Election Tuesday.

Worley, owner of Worley’s Body Shop, earned more votes on Election Day than Norris, but the incumbent’s absentee and early votes pushed him over the top with an 889 to 722 win over Worley.

Provisional ballots have yet to be counted and could potentially change the official outcome of the race, but as figures stand Norris takes slightly more than 55 percent of the vote and Worley just under 45 percent.

Norris is the longest serving commissioners on the board and is owner of Lynwood Norris Land Clearing and Drainage.

Norris and Worley could be not reached for comment.