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2010 filing period opens with flurry
by Charles S. Williams
Five candidates were at the Wilkes Board of Elections office at noon today as filing opened for the 2010 elections.
Chris Shew, a Republican, filed in his bid to succeed Dane Mastin as the sheriff of Wilkes County. Shirley Randleman will seek a second term as the Wilkes representative (District 94) in the State House.
Wilkes Clerk of Court Janet Handy will run for a second full term in her office, while political newcomers David Gambill and Gary L. Blevins are running for county commissioner.
All five candidates are Republicans.
After five terms as sheriff, Mastin has announced that he will retire with over 30 total years of service as a law enforcement officer. He did not, however, rule out running for another office. Shew has been Mastin’s chief deputy since 2000.
Shew said, “I’ve been in law enforcement for 29 years, and I feel like that this what I do best and I that have something to offer the people. I’ve done everything in the department and held every rank except sheriff. I’ve come through the ranks, serving as jailer, on patrol, and as patrol supervisor before being promoted to captain over second shift patrol. I’ve been in a supervisory position for all except two of my years as an officer and was chief detective for 14 years.”
Mrs. Randleman said, “During these tough economic times, I’m honored and humbled to serve the citizens of Wilkes in the State House. We need decent paying jobs in Wilkes, and I will continue to work with local officials to promote economic growth and work force development. It’s going to be a slow process, but we must work tirelessly in our efforts. We need representatives in Raleigh who understand the issues and their effect on normal everyday people. Representing you is my full-time job.”
Ms. Handy, who succeeded Mrs. Randleman as the clerk of court in July 2005, commented, “The office is doing wonderfully. We work well and get the job done, and I enjoy serving the public. It’s a hard and stressful job, but when you help that one particular person who leaves the office with a smile and feeling better than they did when they walked in, it makes it all worthwhile.”
Commissioner candidates
Two candidates for county commissioner—David Gambill of Mulberry and Gary L. Blevins of Millers Creek—also filed. Current Commissioner Gary D. Blevins is not up for re-election this year.
Gambill, a resident of Mulberry, has served as a deputy sheriff since 2002.
“This is something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Gambill. “I’d like to see us recruit a few more jobs to the county, If I win, I’ll have to give up my job at the sheriff’s office, but it’s something that I’m willing to do.”
Gary L. Blevins, of Millers Creek is retired, “so I can devote all of my time to this job,” he said.
“We need someone in this office who will serve all of the people… someone who is down to earth. We need someone who treats everyone the same. Also, I’d like to work on the alcohol and drug abuse in the county so that those people affected can get continuing help for as long as they need it for their problem.”
Democrat Luther Parks said this morning that he would probably seek a third term as county commissioner though he is not certain when he will file. Zach Henderson, a Republican who would also be seeking a third term, said he is undecided on whether to run.
Two seats are open on the Wilkes County Board of Education. Dr. Frances Tharpe said today, “Right now, I’m planning to run for a second term, but there is still some uncertainty.” Karen Wiles Reeves said earlier this year that she did not, at that time, plan to seek a fourth term.
State Sen. Steve Goss has announced plans to run for re-election. Goss, a Democrat, is in his second term. Jeffrey Elmore, a teacher and North Wilkesboro town commissioner, has announced plans to challenge Goss for the seat from the 45th District, which includes Alexander, Watauga, Ashe and Wilkes counties. Elmore is a Republican.
In the 23rd Judicial District, Chief District Court Judge Mitchell L. McLean, District Court Judges David Byrd and Michael Duncan, and District Attorney Tom Horner all plan to file for re-election. Horner was at the board of elections late this morning but has to file in Raleigh. He plans to make that trip on Friday.
Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, a Republican who has represented the state’s 5th District in Washington since 2005, filed for re-election today in Watauga County. Billy Kennedy of Boone, a Democrat, will file this afternoon in Raleigh to oppose Mrs. Foxx.
Kennedy, who stopped in Wilkesboro this morning to visit with supporters before continuing his caravan, said, “American is controlled by corporate interests. There is no help for small interests. We’re spending too much money on two wars, and we’ve run up a $1 trillion debt that our grandchildren will be paying for years to come.”
Brad Smith of the Mulberry community hopes to challenge Mrs. Foxx in the fall election. In order to get his name on the ballot, Smith must collect 17,123 signatures, or 4 percent of the registered voters in the district.
The filing period ends at noon on Friday, Feb. 26. |
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