The hotly contested race for State House saw incumbent Jamie Boles defeat challenger Lowell Simon with 62 percent of the votes. The race was tightly contested as Moore County saw over 30 percent of its registered voters turn out for early voting. Both candidates worked hard to bring in the votes but in the end, Boles persevered.
Jamie Boles began his service to the NC House in 2009 and has served 5 terms. Boles ran unopposed in 2010, 2012, and 2014.
Boles said he is humbled that voters allowed him to serve what will be his sixth term. He is proud of what he has accomplished in the House and looks forward to continuing to serve. “Every day I walk into the House and take my seat, I am beyond humbled as I think back on its history and those that have served before me,” said Boles.
He is currently the deputy majority whip. He is the Vice-Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Chair of the Alcohol and Beverage Control Committee, and Chair of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety.
Boles is a native of Aberdeen, having graduated from Pinecrest High School.
Boles is a successful businessman in the area. He is the owner of Boles Funeral Home, which began with a single location and now has numerous locations across the area.
Lowell Simon (All photos contributed)
Simon, running as a first-time candidate, brought a lot to the table. Simon campaigned on a slogan of “Change Matters”. He was a political appointee of three different Speakers of the NC House, from both parties.
Simon and his family moved to Seven Lakes in 1995. He is a retired small business owner and former teacher. After a success career in small business, he retired at age 50.
A year later he began teaching math at Union Pines High School and later began an entrepreneur program, Upstart, and taught entrepreneurship, business, and marketing classes at the high school. He retired from Moore County Schools in 2017.
Simon has also served on a number of Boards. He currently serves on the Boards of Moore Regional Hospital, Moore Forward, and The Sandhills Jewish Congregation.
