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Belmont to vote on another new mayor in November election after recent losses

Belmont to vote on another new mayor in November election after recent losses

Yahoo2 days ago
BELMONT, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Belmont will once again have a new mayor later this year –- and an official one for the first time since last August.
The Gaston County city has faced its share of tragedy and turnover in recent years, with the sudden death of Mayor Richard Turner last summer, followed by losing former longtime mayor Charlie Martin July 1.
Martin stepped down from his post in June 2023, citing personal health reasons. Then-Councilman Marc Seelinger Jr. was elected interim mayor for the remaining six months of the term.
Belmont approves development moratorium for South Point area
After Turner's death, no interim mayor was chosen, however. Instead, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Hefferan has served as the board chair at City Council meetings.
The string of changes leading the city followed nearly 10 years under Martin's guidance.
And after a failed run for a seat on the Gaston County Board of Commissioners, Seelinger is back on the Belmont municipal ballot.
The city has a non-partisan election with staggered four-year terms. It comes amid a three-year development moratorium for the fast-growing South Point corridor, looming widening on Interstate 85 and after leaders were confronted for not supporting the new Belmont Pride festival in June.
Running for mayor in November are Joe Jordan and Cory Miller; the latter was fifth our of three open slots on the City Council ballot in 2023.
Here are the candidates for the council, with only incumbent (in bold) in the mix:
David Chee
Gregory Mazza
Katherine O'Kane
Marc Seelinger Jr.
Alex Szucs
Nicholas Vesley
Amanda Wall
Chris Williams
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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