Local

Controversy of I-77 toll roads could have affected NC primary

By Stephanie Maxwell
By Stephanie Maxwell

A local primary race is still up in the area and it could be because of the controversial Interstate 77 toll lane project.

Incumbent state Rep. Charles Jeter barely edged out his challenger, Tom Davis, and it was largely in part to Davis’s no tolls platform.

Twenty-eight votes separate Jeter from Davis for House seat 92, with more votes to be counted this week.

Jeter initially threw support behind the toll lanes, but has since called on Gov. Pat McCrory to break-off the deal. The state made a deal with Cintra to build the lanes, but the company contracted by Cintra, filed for bankruptcy in Texas last month for a similar toll lane project there.

That's causing even more hesitation from toll opponents.

According to one map, the vote for the House seat shows Jeter did not do well in the communities surrounding I-77, especially right in his own backyard.

Even though McCrory won the Republican nomination to keep his job in a landslide, voters in Iredell County aren't happy with him and his stance on the toll lanes.

He won the county by about 4,000 votes, but he lost specific-precincts near the road-construction.

“They are dissatisfied with his performance with regards to this toll contract,” Kurt Naas, spokesman for Widen I-77, said.

This isn't the first time toll-lane frustrations impacted ballots. Back in November, many of the candidates against the tolls won their races, including John Aneralla, who defeated Huntersville's long-time mayor, Jill Swain.

Swain was criticized for not taking a stance.

Those against the tolls look ahead to November and say the fight isn't over.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

Cox Media Group

Most Read