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Nancy Owen of Beech Mountain Appointed as Watauga Elections Board Member

By Jesse Wood

The State Board of Elections appointed Nancy Owen to succeed Luke Eggers on the three-member Watauga County Board of Elections on Friday morning.

Owen was the first choice of the Watauga County Republican Party. Attorney Nathan Miller was the second choice.

Eggers resigned before candidate filing for the 2016 elections began late last year because his aunt, Rebecca Eggers-Gryder, is running for a seat as judge in the 24th judicial district.

Owen is a staff member with the Town of Banner Elk, but resides in Beech Mountain. She is the wife of Rick Owen, who is the Banner Elk town manager and a member of the Beech Mountain Town Council.

“I am honored to have the opportunity  to serve the citizens of Watauga County as a member of the Board of Elections. I look forward to working with each of the county board members in conducting fair and impartial elections, with integrity and transparency,” Owen said in a statement.

The Watauga County Board of Elections will meet on Jan. 19 at 5:30 p.m., at which time Owen will be sworn in. The major agenda item at the meeting will regard the early voting plans for the 2016 primary.