Montravias King, an Elizabeth City State University senior, has unofficially won the seat for council member in Elizabeth City’s fourth ward with the largest share of the vote after last week’s election. Official results will be announced today by the State Board of Elections.
The road to King’s win was an arduous one. The Pasquotank County Board of Elections contested” adding his name to the ballot, saying his dorm address at ECSU is not a valid permanent address.
In late August, the State Board of Elections overturned the county board’s decision, unanimously voting to allow King to run.
“I am so humbled,” King said. “I really am in a unique position right now to bring a positive representation not only to Elizabeth City, but also to ECSU.”
King, along with fellow councilman-elect Darius Horton, will be sworn into the Elizabeth City Council, representing the fourth ward, in December and start work in January. King’s win will make him the youngest individual to serve on City Council in Elizabeth City and the first student politician on the council.
Lee Storrow, a Chapel Hill Town Council member who ran for office shortly after graduating from UNC, said King should stay focused on his job as a city council member for the next two years despite the media attention he has received.
“This election showed the public that we are not going to marginalize young people or black males in politics. He resisted opposition from those in the Republican Party that did not even want him on the ballot — to overcome that is incredible,” Storrow said.
Jean Baker, an Elizabeth City councilwoman, said she looks forward to a younger presence on the council.
“We have always had a mature council in my 12 years as a councilwoman, and I have always hoped for someone younger who could bring a new perspective and newer ideas to our body,” Baker said.
