News

Seven file to run for School Board

By Lightning Reports, Published: February 26, 2022

Seven candidates filed for election to the Henderson County School Board, three county commissioners filed for re-election and three candidates filed for the redrawn 11th Congressional District seat.

Filing for the School Board were incumbents Jay Egolf and Dot Case and challengers Mary Ellen Kustin, Aaron Purcell, Alyssa Norman, Heather Sowry Ray and Vance McCraw. Incumbent Amy Lynn Holt, whose term expires, filed to run against County Commissioner Michael Edney.

The state Supreme Court ordered filing to be reopened Thursday after approving legislative maps drawn by the General Assembly and a new congressional map drafted by a court-appointed special master.

Filing for the 11th Congressional District seat were Republican Bruce O'Conell, the operator of the Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Libertarian David Adam Coatney. In other candidate filings:

• State Rep. Tim Moffitt and Dennis Justice filed for state Senate District 48.
• State Rep. Jake Johnson filed for reelection in House District 113.
• Chelsea Walsh filed to run in the House District 117 seat Moffitt is vacating to run for the Senate.
•  Republicans Jason R. Hayes and Abe Hudson filed to run for a newly created District Court judge seat.
• Incumbent Andrew Murray and challenger Mary Ann J. Hollocker filed to run for district attorney
• Incumbents Bill Lapsley, Rebecca McCall and Edney filed for the Board of Commissioners along with Holt.
• Incumbent J. Tyler Ray, who was appointed clerk of Superior Court in 2019, filed for election to the post.
• Register of Deeds William Lee King filed for re-election.
• Sheriff Lowell Griffin filed for re-election.

In addition to approving the maps, the N.C. Supreme Court moved the primary to May 17 and even that date could be imperiled if Republican leaders of the General Assembly prevail in their challenge of the congressional map.

“Today’s ruling is nothing short of egregious," House Speaker Tim Moore said in a statement. "The trial court’s decision to impose a map drawn by anyone other than the legislature is simply unconstitutional and an affront to every North Carolina voter whose representation would be determined by unelected, partisan activists."