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In complete but unofficial results Tuesday, Becky Smothers, 71, fought back two challengers to keep the High Point mayor’s seat, a spot she’s held since 2003.

Attorney Jay Wagner , 42, and electrician and disabled veteran Dwayne Hemingway-El, 38, had challenged Smothers for the office.

Smothers said she spoke with Wagner after most precincts were in and encouraged him to remain passionate and involved in the city.

“There’s enough to do for everybody. We all need to work together,” she said.

Smothers said it’s been a difficult campaign, especially with the national call for change in government.

“The call for change is such an enticing message, (but) if you don’t specify how you’re going to do it or what the outcome will be, it is more of a general invitation,” Smothers said.

High Point voters returned most incumbents to their council seats.

Smothers said the City Council worked to explain how it tried to be responsible and proactive for the city. “We hoped this would at least satisfy the questions that would be in voters’ minds,” she said.

Smothers also encouraged voters to keep experienced candidates on the council.

“I have to be very encouraged (about the election results) because we were losing two very strong members that were in leadership positions on the council with (the departure of) John Faircloth and Bill Bencini,” Smothers said. “It was really a concern that we have some experienced leadership (on the council).”

Bencini and Faircloth are not returning to the council; Bencini will serve on the Guilford County Board of Commissioners, and Faircloth will serve in the state House of Representatives.

Smothers campaigned on a platform of keeping taxes low and continuing the current economic development program, which includes establishing a small business loan program.

Smothers sees the city’s role as providing safe and clean environment for businesses to succeed and to provide low costs of doing business, such as taxes, fees and utility costs.

She also would like to see stronger High Point representation at the state level through redistricting.

Smothers has served as High Point’s mayor since 2003 and from 1992-99. She’s spent 13 years on the City Council.

Contact E.A. Seagraves at 883-4422, Ext. 241, or elizabeth.seagraves@news-record.com