Nine file to run in Onslow on first day of candidate filing

The first day of filing for Onslow County’s 2010 General Election started off as officials expected with a small rush of those ready to throw their hat in the ring when filing began at noon Monday.

Nine people filed throughout the day for various seats, including Onslow County Sheriff, clerk of court, Board of Education and General Assembly Districts 14 and 15.

The 2010 General Election also includes races for judicial officials, U.S. Congress, N.C. General Assembly and several county offices. Available offices in Onslow County include associate justice of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals judge, Superior Court judge, District Court judge, district attorney, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, state Senate and state House of Representatives.

“Opening at noon we had quite a few people in the lobby, it was quite packed in there,” said Kelly Horne, deputy director at the Onslow County Board of Elections.

Among those who filed was Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown, who is seeking his sixth term as sheriff. Brown said he has always made it a point to file on the first day.

“It’s a great responsibility. I just hope the people who run for any office have the commitment that the people deserve,” he said.

Three people filed for open seats on the Onslow County Board of Education including incumbents Ronnie Ross and Lina Padgett-Parker and Brock Ridge, who previously served on the board for 12 years.

“My heart is in education. I’ve always been a part of education as a principal or teacher. I love education and I love to see what kind of things we can do to improve the skills of our children,” Ridge said. “That’s my motivation. Quality education, that’s what I want.”

Ross and Padgett-Parker could not be reached for comment.

Seeking his sixth year serving state Senate District 6 is Harry Brown, who also filed Monday.

“I’ve enjoyed representing Onslow and Jones counties,” he said. “I’ve been working on several things that I want to see fulfilled, one of them being career tech legislation to expand those programs. I feel like I’ve made a lot of headway to do just that.”

Two folks are vying for the clerk of court seat including incumbent Bettie Gurganus, who is seeking her second elected term in the office, and newcomer Robert Grady who has served in the N.C. General Assembly District 15 seat for 12 terms.

“I actually like working, believe it or not,” Gurganus said. “I just like what I do. I hope to stay here for four more years.”

Grady said he’s seeking the clerk of court office because “It is time for a change.”

“There are things in the clerk’s office that need to be changed, and there are things that can be done better,” he said in a printed statement. “The courthouse should belong only to the people and not the same old courthouse crowd … If elected clerk, my only obligation will be to the people who elected me.”

Seeking to fill Grady’s vacated District 15 seat is newcomer Phillip Shepard.

“I’m feeling great. I’m looking forward to the campaign. I’m looking forward to being a new voice for Onslow County in Raleigh,” he said. “I look forward to working … to make a difference for Onslow County.”

George Cleveland filed to retain his General Assembly District 14 seat. He could not be reached for comment.

Filing is open until Feb. 26 at noon. Horne said she expects filing to taper off this week and pick back up toward the end of the filing period.

“It will heat up toward the end of next week,” she said. “This week we’ll maybe have one or two slowly coming in per day.”

Contact Molly DeWitt at 910-219-8455 or mdewitt@freedomenc.com.