By Catherine M. Welch
Wilmington, NC – A record number of candidates across the state filed to run for elected office. With several seats in play here in the Cape Fear region, WHQR News decided to take a look this week at some of the races generating heat.
7th Congressional District
Part of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog coalition, Democrat Mike McIntyre has held the 7th District seat for 13 years, but some elections went by without facing a challenger.
Not this year.
Three Republicans are seeking to run against McIntyre. Illario Pantano is a former Marine who was discharged after being exonerated for the deaths of two Iraqis. Will Breazeale, a member of the Army Reserves, ran against McIntyre during the last election. And Randy Crow is an investor based in Kelly, North Carolina.
Health care reform and cutting government spending are major themes for the Republican challengers, while McIntyre's emphasizing jobs and affordable health care.
North Carolina's 9th Senate District
North Carolina's 9th Senate District covers New Hanover County, which is nearly evenly split between Republicans and Democrats with unaffiliated voters providing some wiggle room.
Jumping into the open race for the democrats is former UNCW chancellor Jim Leutze.
Two Wilmington attorneys, Thom Goolsby and Michael Lee, will square off in the May primary for the Republican slot.
And Wilmington City Councilwoman Kristi Tomey is collecting the 5,741 signatures she needs by the end of June to show up on the ballot as an unaffiliated candidate.
Boseman is leaving the state senate to run for the newly created 5th District Court judge seat. She's being challenged by Tonya Turner, Robin Robinson and Chad Hogston.
North Carolina 18th House District
Democrat Sandra Spaulding Hughes isn't running for the seat she took over from Thomas Wright, opening up the 18th House District.
Running for the seat are Democrats James Utley Jr. and Susi Hamilton, with Beth Dawson and J. Michael Hutson running for the Republican nomination.
North Carolina 17th House District
In Brunswick County, Republican Frank Iler will defend the seat he took over from Bonner Stiller, facing republican Mac Tyson. Democrats James Knox and Leonard Jenkins are running to be the Democratic candidate for the 17th District.
North Carolina 16th House District
Over in Pender County, Pender County commissioner F.D. Rivenbark is challenging Republican incumbent Carolyn Justice for the 16th District.
Law and Order Races
Ed McMahon has been with the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office for 18 years. He was tapped last year to take over as sheriff after Sid Causey retired. McMahon is facing challenger Marc Benson, a retired deputy from both the New Hanover County and Pender County Sheriff's Office.
Pender County Sheriff Carson Smith is being challenged by Adam Dillon.
In Brunswick County Jon David is running as a Republican for the 13th District Attorney's seat. Current District Attorney, Democrat Rex Gore, will face a primary challenge against Butch Pope.
Do you have insight or expertise on this topic? Please email us, we'd like to hear from you. news@whqr.org.