Pittsboro Mayor Randy Voller was elected chairman of the N.C. Democratic Party over former congressman Bob Etheridge by a vote of 309-298.
Voller was the only candidate campaigning after former state senator Eric Mansfield dropped out of the race. Etheridge left the meeting before he was nominated and did not speak on his own behalf.
Etheridge supporters said the party needed someone who could raise money and who had statewide and national connections.
Sen. Floyd McKissick of Durham urged voters to pass the baton to a new leader.
