Update: Lenoir County Board of Elections will hold a Preliminary Consideration Meeting Wednesday
UPDATE:
The Lenoir County Board of Elections will hold a Preliminary Consideration Meeting Wednesday, November 12th at 5:30pm for the Election Protest filed against Les Lipford.
PREVIOUS:
Sean Keenan has withdrawn his protest challenging the candidacy of Quarla Blackwell and has filed a new protest contesting the election of Kinston City Council elect Les Lipford.
“I withdrew my protest of Quarla Blackwell’s candidacy and filed a protest of the election of Les Lipford,” Keenan said.
Keenan’s initial filing argued that Blackwell was ineligible to run because she was on probation. However, because the challenge came after ballots had already been finalized, it was processed as an election protest rather than a pre-election challenge. Blackwell ultimately finished third in the city council race and did not win a seat.
Les Lipford said he has cooperated fully with authorities regarding questions about his residency and eligibility to serve on the Kinston City Council.
“I took the paperwork to the police,” Lipford said. “The police investigated twice and told me the case was closed.” He added that he also spoke with the District Attorney’s Office, and that “someone talked to the DA” on his behalf.
Lipford said some of his constituents also provided documentation to authorities to confirm his residency. His attorney, Nick Harvey Sr., is representing him in the matter
The Kinston Police Department have a different take on the investigation.
”The investigation into Council Elect Les Lipford remains open and active,” said Keith Goyette, Chief of the Kinston Police Department. “Our Investigative team has not closed the matter at this time. We have reached out for external assistance regarding the case and will provide further updates as new information becomes available. This is a very fluid investigation and although we understand people want answers instantly, we have to make sure we check all our boxes and follow proper procedures throughout the investigation.”
Lipford said he maintains a lease at the property in question, where he has lived for 10 years.
“You’re telling me I can’t have a house when everyone else has a main house,” Lipford said. “Everyone who votes always votes at their home of record or residency, no matter if they are there or not. That’s their record. ‘Some of the time’ means they can stay wherever they want.”
Blackwell, who sent a cease-and-desist email on September 30, 2025, preventing Neuse News from contacting her, issued her own election protest.
“An election protest was filed against my candidacy alleging that I lied on my filing paper,” Blackwell said. “On that day, when I filed, I was a registered voter allowed to vote and run for office, and no protest should have been filed based on my voting and running status at the time.”
Blackwell said the protest was made public with advertisements suggesting that her votes would not count. “I was forced to endorse other candidates, which played a major role in the outcome of the election,” she said.
“As of this day, I am a registered voter allowed to run and vote,” Blackwell added. “No election protest questioning my status should have been accepted while I carry an active status,” citing state statute 163-82.14 (C.1,2,3).
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