ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Phil North has found his way out of retirement and into the world of politics.
"I had a routine and I did what I wanted to do. But I just felt moved and motivated to do this. I prayed about it, and I decided it was time in my life to give it a shot," said North.
First-timer North ousted incumbent Al Bedrosian for the Hollins district seat on the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors.
During the race, Bedrosian, a far-right-leaning Republican, focused on fiscal responsibility, namely cutting spending. But North, also a Republican, said he knows how to save money, but sometimes you have to spend to grow.
"First of all, I am a fiscal conservative, but I do believe that you have to invest for the future," said North.
North already has a long list of priorities. Business development, more access to recycling county-wide, and finding the resources to keep the Hollins Library open on Sundays to help local students. But North's main focus is keeping 18-to 24-year-olds in the county.
"You have to have an attraction, so what would attract them to stay here. It has to be the right industries that align with their education," said North.
In his own words, North is still a little new to politics, but he said, public service is more about people than politics.
"I'll never forget what one man told me yesterday at the polls. He's lived here 18 years and never had anyone knock on his door and ask for his vote and he said I'm going to vote for you no matter what. He was touched by that and I was, too," said North.
One day later, emotions still running high.
The race came down to a difference of about 100 votes. Bedrosian released a statement about the race results saying:
"I am very thankful for the opportunity I had to represent a conservative view on the board. We have an election process where those that want to get involved in the election process are the ones that get to set the agenda for how government is run. I would strongly urge the board to be mindful of the large debt and spending in our county and how that does put extra burdens on many of our citizens. I am very grateful to all of my supporters and the many citizens that I run into on a regular basis that always encourage me and have very positive things to say."