LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — Mary Frances White, 65, became what the local Democratic Party called “the first person of color” elected to office Tuesday night in Lincoln County.
"It's kind of like when I woke up this morning, 'Is this real?'" Councilwoman-elect White said.
She got 52 percent of the vote in her precinct to be elected to the city council in Lincolnton, a city founded in 1785.
"I was honored,” she said. “I was excited that the people saw in me, that it was time."
It was her third run for city council.
"I'm not a quitter, and I'm not going to give up, and this time, I was more determined than ever to win," White said.
She said she wanted to win because people like supporter Gussie Jefferies needed a voice on city council.
"I jumped up out my bed. I was so excited," Jefferies said.
Lincolnton Mayor Ed Hatley was running unopposed and campaigned with White.
"It's really a shame and disgrace whenever you think about Lincolnton and Lincoln County, and we have never elected an African American," Hatley said.
White has been involved with the city and was honored for her service to the area.
Although White said she is a senior citizen, she sees herself as a trendsetter for youth as well as all minorities who never got the opportunity she has now.
"I hope that this win for me opens the door for other young people as Afro Americans to see that this can be accomplished," White said.
White said the win Tuesday night is important for her family. Her father, who has passed, used to spend Election Day driving voters to the polls. She said she will think of him when she is sworn in on Dec. 6.
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