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ECSU student King wins council election

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.

King said he has a number of goals he wants to accomplish during his term.

“Economic development is a big priority of mine,” he said. “Elizabeth City has one of the highest poverty levels in the state.”

King said he sees room for improvement in engaging Elizabeth City’s younger population, citing a need to strengthen parks and recreation programs and growing the Boys & Girls Clubs in the area. He said he looks forward to beginning work as a student politician but said he will not lose sight of his ECSU roots.

“I really want to provide superior representation to the fourth ward — ECSU gave me so much. My university has been going through a lot lately, and I want to serve them,” King said. “My dream has always been to serve in Congress. (But) I got in office to serve the people, not myself.”

state@dailytarheel.com

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