Derwin Montgomery, a senior Winston-Salem State University student, won the East Ward seat on the Winston-Salem City Council.
Montgomery, a native of Hopkins, S.C., won unopposed with 741 votes, despite a write-in campaign to keep incumbent Jocelyn Johnson on the council. Montgomery defeated Johnson in the Democratic primary Sept. 15.
“I think it was great,” says Sharrod Patterson, senior and fellow WSSU student.
Patterson compared Montgomery’s political accomplishment to President Obama.
“History starts. It started with Obama, and it moved on over to Derwin. And hopefully [we can] keep that student spirit going, voting and actually trying to make a difference.”
Montgomery said that he will be sworn in at City Hall, Dec. 7.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to serve in this capacity,” he said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity.”