news-record.com

GREENSBORO - Kay Hagan's run for the U.S. Senate guaranteed at least one change in Raleigh: a new state senator from Greensboro.

And that state senator is Democrat Don Vaughan.

Vaughan took 70.1 percent of the vote and defeated Republican Joe Wilson in the race for the District 27 seat Hagan held for the past five terms.

Guilford County results were complete but unofficial Tuesday night.

"They are some tremendous shoes to fill," Vaughan said late Tuesday night. "Kay has done a wonderful job in the N.C. Senate as shown by her success tonight. We look forward to the challenge, and in this economy, it's going to be a real challenge."

In two other local General Assembly races - both rematches of rematches from the past two election cycles - longtime incumbents Alma Adams and Maggie Jeffus held onto their seats in the state House of Representatives.

Democrat Adams got 72.5 percent of the vote to defeat Republican Olga Morgan Wright for the third straight time in the District 58 race.

Adams, a 62-year-old art professor at Bennett College, won her eighth term in the House representing the east Greensboro district where Democrats outnumber Republicans 3-to-1.

Wright, 49, said that makes campaigning an uphill climb.

"I know it's not necessarily about lack of support for me," Wright said. "I really think it's more of a party issue. People came out for the presidential election, and a lot of them voted straight ticket."

In District 59, Democrat Jeffus won 65.4 percent of the vote to defeat Republican Jim Rumley for the third time.

Jeffus, 73, a retired teacher, has held the House seat representing northeast Guilford County since 1992. Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-to-1 in the district.

"Most days, it's still fun. I'm looking forward to going back for my ninth term," Jeffus said. "I hope to be reappointed as one of the chairs of the (appropriations) committee and to be able to balance the budget and do the things necessary to provide for Guilford County and the citizens of North Carolina in these tough economic times."

Rumley, 51, ran against Jeffus in 2004 and 2006 and against Adams in 2000.

Vaughan served seven terms on the Greensboro City Council from 1991-2005. The 56-year-old lawyer based his campaign on improving education and infrastructure within the state, saying both would help draw business to North Carolina.

"The main thing that's on everybody's mind is the economy," Vaughan said.

As of midnight, 102 of 170 General Assembly races had been decided.

Statewide election results were incomplete and unofficial Tuesday night.

Democrats started Election Day with a 68-52 majority in the state House, and were hoping to earn a veto-proof 72 seats. Uncontested races gave Democrats a head start: 31 ran unopposed compared with 20 Republicans without opposition.

In the state Senate, there were 10 Republicans and 10 Democrats elected unopposed. Democrats hold a 31-19 majority in the Senate.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Jeff Mills at 373-7024 or jeff.mills@news-record.com