Judge race reduced to two
Dellinger runs away with judgeship
By Dee Henry
NEWTON
Incumbent Judge Gary Dellinger took more than 50 percent of the votes in the race to decide the District Court judge in District 25.
Dellinger kept his comfortable lead over John Mull, also a district court judge, and Lenoir attorney Austen D. Jud, through the evening as results rolled into the board of elections office. The final numbers showed Dellinger, the favorite, garnering 28,224 votes or 53 percent. Mull and Jud remained in a tight race, but Mull received the second largest number of votes with 13,705 or 26 percent. Jud received 11,858 votes, or 22 percent.
Mull created some controversy when he decided to run against Dellinger although his judgeship is not up for reelection until 2010. When asked why he decided to run this year, Mull said he wanted his election cycle to coincide with the presidential election cycle putting him in contests that traditionally bring in a larger number of voters.
If Mull wins in November, he could run for a Superior Court Judgeship in 2010.
Mull’s victory would leave his seat open. Should that happen, the seat would have to be filled by the governor. If the governor voted into office in November is a Democrat, Dellinger may be a likely pick for Mull’s seat.
District 25 includes Catawba, Burke and Caldwell counties.
Dellinger and Mull will compete for the 25th District judgeship in November
