As it turns out, that was a safe bet.

With four seats up for grabs, the four Democrats on the ballot snagged the top spots. Two Republicans trailed behind that pack, though not by as much as might be expected in the heavily Democratic county.

Newcomers Ben Bushyhead and Danny Burns were the top two vote-getters, just as they were in the Democratic primary. Bushyhead received 20.29 percent of the vote, while Burns followed close behind with 19.88 percent. Incumbent commissioners David Monteith and Steve Moon were next in line, with 18.06 percent and 15.25 percent of the vote, respectively.

Once Swain’s results were in — with 43.2 percent of registered voters voting — Bushyhead repeated a message he issued following his  primary victory: the people want change.

“It’s very simple. I think the people want someone who’s going to go in and try to open up the government, make it transparent, both in budget and planning,” Bushyhead said. “They haven’t had that in many years. They are crying for that.”

Burns agreed.

“I just think people were ready for some change,” the first-time candidate said. “That’s the main thing we heard through the primary.”

Bushyhead also said that his and Burns’ victories send a message to sitting commissioners. 

“Things must change,” Bushyhead said.

Incumbent commissioners Monteith and Moon held on to their seats in this election, and will be joined with Bushyhead and Burns on the board. Monteith said he’s ready for the new composition.

“I think that the Lord put us all on for one purpose and that is to serve the people of Swain County,” said Monteith,  adding that he has long known Bushyhead and Burns and looks forward to working with the newcomers. “I think both of those boys are good Christian boys and I got no problem with that.”

Lance Grant II was the top Republican vote-getter in the Swain commissioners race, with 14.57 percent of the vote. He was trailed by Carolyn Bair, with 11.96 % of the vote.

“I lost by 94 votes,” Grant said after the results were in. “I figured it was gonna be close, but I didn’t figure I’d lose.”

Grant said he hopes the winning candidates can work together for the good of Swain County.

“I’d like to see’em tackle the budget and I’d like to see’em focus on getting jobs, good paying jobs, to the community,” Grant said.

This is the final year that the full bench of commissioners in Swain will be up for election. Going forward, the terms will be staggered. Instead of all seats coming open every four years, only half the seats will be up for election at a time. 

This election sets the stage for that electoral rotation, with the two top vote-getters — Bushyhead and Burns — serving a full four years, and the remaining two victors — Monteith and Moon — seeing their seats on the ballot again in 2016.

Swain County Commissioner 

(four seats)

Ben Bushyhead (D)2,848

Danny Burns (D)2,791

David Monteith* (D) 2,535

Steve Moon* (D) 2,141

Lance Grant II (R) 2,045

Carolyn Blair (R) 1,679

*denotes incumbent