news-record.com

In a crowded  field of new and familiar faces, three-term incumbent T. Dianne Bellamy-Small surged to the top in Tuesday’s District 1 City Council primary.

Bellamy-Small had built a reputation as a survivor who took her share of scratches and bruises in tough elections but always outlasted the competition.

In 2007 she weathered a rare recall election, then held off four challengers in the primary before taking a November victory over a strong contender, contractor Tonya Clinkscale.

In 2005, she beat insurance agent Luther Falls Jr. by only 50 votes. “I was told I was targeted,” she said following her narrow victory in that election.

She may have felt that way again this year, facing the largest field of challengers of any district council representative, with five candidates seeking to unseat her. Even so, she led the field with 43 percent of the vote — hardly a mandate, but a solid showing all the same.

The field ranged from a local gadfly and blogger, Ben Holder, to her familiar nemesis in Falls, who has sought to unseat her in the last two elections. Yet Bellamy-Small clearly outpaced the field.

When asked why she attracts so many competitors, Bellamy-Small smiled Tuesday night. “I don’t know,” she said, chuckling. “I just wish they wouldn’t — especially the ones I’ve beaten two or three times before.”

She probably was referring to Falls, whom she’ll face again in November if Falls’ scant margin over Daron Sellars holds. According to unofficial results, Falls prevailed by only three ballots.

Bellamy-Small then took a moment to praise the competition. “Obviously, we all care about District 1 or we wouldn’t put ourselves through this,” she said.

A skeptic could point to a three-term incumbent who drew less than 50 percent of the vote. He could point to another low turnout in the east Greensboro district.

But the fact remains: There has been no shortage of viable choices in District 1 in recent elections. And voters keep choosing Bellamy-Small.