Unexpected win as Sheila Grady emerges as Northwest’s mayor-elect in write-in upset

NORTHWEST, NC (WWAY) — Sheila Grady will be the next mayor of Northwest after winning via a write-in campaign.

Grady is currently Northwest’s Mayor Pro Tempore and will replace long-serving mayor James Knox, who was mayor for over 29 years.

She won after receiving around 75 percent of the votes, which came out to 120 votes.

Knox finished with 48 votes.

Grady said it means a lot to have so much support from the community and that she will do her best to keep the city of Northwest moving in the right direction.

“I love the community and anytime that I’m going to work with an organization, I’m going to give it my all,” Grady said. “And so with the community backing, this is not an I thing, this is a group organization, a community. We want to work and strive to do what is best for our community.”

James Knox said he wasn’t disappointed he lot, but rather the manner in which he lost, as he was not expecting anyone to be written-in on the ballot.

However, he still wishes Grady the best and has an important piece of advice for her as she prepares to replace him.

“Stand on your ground, stand your ground,” Knox said. “That, that is one thing I did. I would affirm that standing my ground and she gonna have to do that. Skin gonna have to be a little tougher than as a council person. She has to be able to stand her ground and be the Mayor.”

Grady said she will work to receive funding to improve infrastructure from roads and lighting to water and sewer in the city.

She will be sworn in as mayor on December 19th.