Lee routs Redenbaugh in state Senate race

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Republican Michael Lee won a healthy victory over Democrat Elizabeth Redenbaugh to represent New Hanover County in the North Carolina Senate.

The two fought hard in an expensive campaign for the 9th District. Sen. Thom Goolsby left the seat open earlier this year after the Republican announced he would not run for another term and then resigned shortly after the end of the legislative session. That led local Republicans to appoint Lee to fill the rest of the term.

Redenbaugh tried to tie Lee to Republicans and their agenda in the General Assembly. That was a line of attack that would ultimately fail with Lee’s win.

“I want to thank all the people who have been there for us. Campaigns are made up of people who believe in a message and believe in someone,” Lee said. “We’ve been incredibly lucky and blessed to have so many people working with us, because it’s not something that Heidi and I can do on our own and for that we’re eternally thankful.”

Lee beat Redenbaugh by 11 points.