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By Brad Dountz

brad.dountz@salisburypost.com

Incumbent Republican State Senator Carl Ford defeated Democratic challenger Tangela Morgan Tuesday to represent District 33.

With 96 percent of precincts reporting, Ford was leading had 73.13% compared to 26.87% for Morgan.

Ford, who will be serving his third term as senator, previously was a NC State Congressman for six years before running for Senate. A Rowan County native, Ford started Ford Broadcasting in 1992 that consists of WRKB and WRNA. Ford’s political career began when he served on the Rowan County Department of Social Services Board for seven and a half years and the Rowan County Planning Board for two years. From 2008-2012, he served as a Rowan County Commissioner, including a two year term as vice chairman and a two year term as chairman.

Morgan, who grew up in Stanly County, was a teacher for 14 years in Rowan Salisbury Schools and a counselor for eight years. She is an alum of Wake Forest University and Liberty University. She is also a member of the Salisbury Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Salisbury-Rowan NAACP, Secretary/Treasurer of Rowan Salisbury Association of Educators, and China Grove’s Democratic Precinct Chair.

“It’s a long, hard race, as it always is,” Ford said. “Because you run every two years. As always I give God the praise. My family, volunteers, it’s been a long, hard fought race.”

Even when going up against her during the campaign, Ford had nothing but kind words for Morgan once the election was over.

“I congratulate her on working hard, I mean she had a hard fought campaign, she really did,” Ford said. “I really believe she outworked my past two opponents in a big way.”