REPUBLICAN FOOD FIGHT
February’s arrival also heralds the filing season for the 2010 elections. Democrats, still struggling in an area that is wedded to the GOP brand, will have a limited field of candidates. But on the Republican side, it appears that a primary looms for every contested seat at the local level.
Especially bitter is the race for District Attorney. Charges and counter charges already are appearing on internet blogs. Incumbent Jay Gaither is accused of engineering a private court session where only one case was heard before Judge Gregg Hayes: that of a doctor accused for complicity in an accident in which a truck driver was killed. The Hickory doctor left the scene. The verdict: a minor misdemeanor conviction. Also there are stories circulating of drinking bouts in Buncombe County, attempts to intimidate a highway patrolman and more.
Lines are being drawn in the Sheriff’s race. Supporters of Congressman Patrick McHenry reportedly are determined to defeat Coy Reid, a deputy close to incumbent Sheriff David Huffman. This faction, which also includes Rep. Mark Hilton, is said to be behind the candidacy of Shawn Clark who is Gaither’s opponent. Gaither is the son-in-law of businessman Dean Proctor who is close to Huffman.
Incumbent county commissioners, who approved a one-cent increase in the sales tax, will have opposition this year, including Chair Kitty Barnes. It’s a classic battle of so-called TEA baggers against the GOP establishment.
DEMOCRATS WHO? As the approval for President Obama and the Democratic controlled Congress sinks, local Democrats are struggling to find local candidates. Nationally, the Republican brand polls lower than that for Congress. But in the Greater Hickory area, even with the highest unemployment in the state, voters love their GOP, including their snake handlers.
State Rep. Ray Warren paved the way for a moderate Democrat to take the 88th House District. Warren carried Hickory by a comfortable margin in 2008. Hilton’s hand-picked candidate Mark Hollo of Taylorsville will again be on the fall ballot, but it is not assured that he will have a Democratic opponent. In numbers, Alexander voters have an edge in the 88th District with about 55 percent.
Filing will begin next week and run for about 20 days.
L-R CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE? Former WSOC-TV Sports commentator Harold Johnson, an L-R graduate, has told associates that he will oppose U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell of Albemarle in the fall election. Kissell is a first term Democrat who unseated Robin Hayes, a Cannon family heir. Johnson, a Republican, has a problem: He lives in Iredell County which is outside the district. He has said he will move to Cabarrus County.
RE-ELECTION BID: Sen. Steve Goss of Watauga has announced he will seek re-election. His district include Watauga, Wilkes and Alexander Counties. A Democrat, Goss had considered opposing U.S. Virginia Foxx. Foxx, identified among the Republicans who are known as birthers, challenged statements made by President Obama last week at the GOP House caucus. Yet on Twitter she proudly announced she had gotten the President’s autograph.
Tags: congressman patrick mchenry, court session, david huffman, drinking bouts, gaither, hickory area, highway patrolman, mark hilton, mark hollo, minor misdemeanor, misdemeanor conviction, moderate democrat, obama, patrick mchenry, private court, ray warren, republican side, shawn clark, snake handlers, tea baggers