Elisabeth Motsinger has beaten Bruce Peller in the Democratic primary and will face an incumbent Republican lawmaker in the fall. Unofficial results on Tuesday show Motsinger will represent Democrats in the race for North Carolina's 5th Congressional District.
Campaign supporters for Elisabeth Motsinger celebrated her victory Tuesday night in the Democratic primary at Encore American Bistro in downtown Winston-Salem.
54 year-old Motsinger, of Walkertown, is a physician's assistant and serves on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School Board. She credits her community involvement and her staff with getting voters support.
She will face Republican U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx in the November election. Foxx is a former state senator and community college president from Banner Elk. Motsinger said she’s ready for the challenge.
“I’m very happy because I think this reflects the relationships that both I and my campaign have built in the entire community both here in Forsyth County, Watauga, Ashe and Alleghany Counties and throughout the 5th District and I look forward to representing the Democratic Party in this general election,” said Motsinger.
Motsinger’s Democratic opponent Dr. Bruce Peller, from Pfafftown, is a Winston-Salem-area dentist. Both candidates were political newcomers. Peller thanked his wife Paula, who is also a partner in their dental practice for her involvement in his campaign. He said he’s not sure right now if he will take another stab at running for public office in the future.
“The most important thing is beating Virginia Fox in the fall and I stand behind Elisabeth Motsinger 100 percent and the Democratic Party. I was just absolutely pleased to participate in the conversation up to this point,” said Peller.
