1973 Newport County mayoral election

The 1969 Newport County mayoral election was held on November 4, 1969, to elect the mayor of Newport County, Piedmont.

Incumbent Mayor James Molinaro ran for a seventh term. Though elected as a Democrat in the 1965 election, Molinaro ran as a Republican following a massive change in the city government, with a shift in control of the county council.

Jimmy Barton, an incumbent county councilmember, ran for election against Molinaro as a Democrat. Barton. Originally an independent, representing a small liberal district from Newport, he received the nominations of both the Democratic and Republican parties in Newport, being elected as an independent.

Barton won against Molinaro due to increased turnout in Newport City, causing the suburbs' votes to be flushed out. There was a major swing in county voting due to the candidates' political party changes.