By MIKE HELM

Political candidates present at the 19th annual political stumpin’ in Fair Bluff Saturday night enjoyed deer hash and barbecue but complained about the format. Moderator Dennis Worley limited them to one minute each, explaining afterward that the crowd was getting restless after a long program.

The debate among district attorney candidates was the big event of the evening and all three were present – incumbent Rex Gore, Democratic challenger Alexis Jane “A.J.” Prease and Republican challenger Jon David of Brunswick County.

By the end of the night, it was known that two of three county commission seats up for grabs this year will see primary and general election races.

Cerro Gordo’s Ricky Bullard mounted the stump and told more than 300 guests present that he would face Beaverdam native David McPherson in the May 2 Democratic primary. Commissioner Kip Godwin announced that he would not seek re-election to the District 6 seat.

Godwin said he wanted to dispel a widely circulated rumor.

“I am not resigning as commissioner to take the county manager’s job,” he said. “I have other career plans.”

Fair Bluff farmer Howell Strickland, who had previously announced that he would run in the District 6 Democratic primary, changed his plan and said he would be on the November ballot as an unaffiliated candidate, facing the winner of the Bullard-McPherson primary.

District 7 County Commissioner David Dutton also faces May and November challengers. Long-time Columbus County Schools Maintenance Director Ronald Gore announced that he would run against Dutton in the Democratic Primary.

Columbus County Citizens for Better Government (CCCBG) President Sammy Hinson said he would face the winner of that race as a Republican in November. Hinson, who is a former chairman of the county Republican Party, said this election goes beyond partisan divisions and is about the future of Columbus County.

No one has yet stepped forward to challenge District 1 Commissioner Amon McKenzie.
In the DA’s race, challenger Jon David said there’s a need for more regional cooperation.

“Criminals don’t respect jurisdictional boundaries,” he said. His website is jondavidforda.com

Prease – who said she has no spouse, no dogs, no cats and no distractions – said the district needs a hard worker and someone who would make herself available constantly.

Gore, a Bug Hill native and deacon at Cavalry Baptist Church, said he would stand on his record and noted that a life outside of work is important.

“I do have a life in addition to what I do inside the office but that’s what helps me make better decisions,” Gore said.

He noted that the DA’s office decides 60,000 cases per year and most have to be delegated. He reserves the important decisions for himself. He said that makes it important to hire good people.

“We just sent a man to prison for 59 years for raping his own children,” he noted.

Columbus County’s legislative delegation had its chance on the stump. State Sen. R.C. Soles was present, although his challenger, Brunswick County Republican Shirley Babson, was not. Soles, who was on friendly ground, entertained the crowd with a few jokes and asked for their votes.

State Rep. Dewey Hill donned a Dole baseball cap, saying what a great opportunity the proposed Kannapolis food processing plant would be for Columbus County farmers. Hill said his emphasis would continue to be on agribusiness.

The highlight of the evening came when Sheriff Chris Batten presented a giant gavel to Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Bill Gore, who is running for one of four vacant seats on the N.C. Supreme Court.

“You’ll need a big gavel,” moderator Dennis Worley said.

Gore is running for the seat of retiring Justice George Wainright.

“I will never sacrifice what I think is justice on the altar of political expediency,” said Gore.

Gore will face N.C. Appeals Court Judge Robin Hudson, who attended the stumpin’ and asked for support.

Three other Supreme Court candidates came down from Raleigh for the event. Chief Justice Sarah Parker, who was recently appointed by Gov. Mike Easley, has 21 years judicial experience. Parker is a native of Charlotte.

Mark Martin, who in 1998 was elected as the youngest Supreme Court Judge in history, asked Columbus County voters for their support.

Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson of Fayetteville, another recent Easley appointee, is running for election. She emphasized her 21 years on the bench.

Linwood Cartrette, who has been county coroner for 18 years, asked voters for their continued support. Sheila Pridgen, seeking her third term as Clerk of Court, mounted the stump and acknowledged the hard work of her staff.