Jeff Tarte

Edging out Huntersville business owner John Aneralla by just about 200 votes, according to unofficial results, Cornelius Mayor Jeff Tarte won the second primary election July 17 and will represent District 41 in the N.C Senate. Tuesday’s runoff vote between the two came after a close finish in the primary May 8 – and again, the men finished neck and neck, with less than three percent of the vote separating them. Read more and see other election results, on the ELECTION page >>

Early voting for the July 17 elections began Monday morning, and runs through Saturday, July 14. Included on the ballot are two runoff elections: One between N.C. Senate District 41 candidates Jeff Tarte and John Aneralla, both Republicans; and the other between 9th Congressional District Republican candidates Jim Pendergraph and Robert Pittenger. See the ELECTION page for early voting times and locations>>

Former District 41 state senate candidates Troy Stafford and Robby Benton this week said they endorse Cornelius Mayor Jeff Tarte for the seat. After a close finish in the primary election May 8, Mayor Tarte and Huntersville business owner John Aneralla will face each other for a runoff vote in July, and Mr. Stafford and Mr. Benton are encouraging their supporters to vote for Mayor Tarte. Meanwhile, Mr. Aneralla sent a letter to County Commissioners Tuesday supporting an independent audit of the 2011 property revaluation. Read more, including the candidates’ press releases, on our ELECTION page >>

It’s hard to say who has the edge just yet in the state Senate 41st District race. But a straw poll Thursday shows John Aneralla has strong support among local Republican Party leaders. Mr. Aneralla won the vote at Thursday’s Mecklenburg County GOP precinct leaders’ meeting in Charlotte. He got 71.1 percent of the around 300 votes, while Cornelius Mayor Jeff Tarte, got 28.9 percent. Meanwhile, local GOP leaders also favored presidential candidate Rick Santorum in the poll. Read the full story, on our ELECTIONS page >>