CORNELIUS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- Cornelius will have a new mayor for the first time since 2017 as the town prepares for a wave of change downtown.

Former town commissioner Denis Bilodeau defeated four-term Mayor Woody Washam with 43.8 percent of the vote. Washam, a Cornelius native had 36.8 percent.

Bilodeau claimed victory from Old Town Public House Tuesday night.

“We WON! Thank you all for your incredible support and every single vote — this victory belongs to all of us!”

Two years ago, Bilodeau came just 5 votes short, but showed he had even more support this election. He was the mayor pro tem under Washam from 2019-2021.

Four members of the Board of Commissioners were re-elected, with Colin Furcht returning to take Scott Higgins’ available seat.

Another big change for north M

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