Fifty-three file for 15 seats

A few last minute candidates swept into the New Hanover County and North Carolina board of elections offices to file before the noon deadline on Feb. 26. With filing for the 2010 mid-terms officially finished, a string of incumbent retirements and the ballot packed with choices, the race looks wide open.

Highly contested primaries will whittle down the choices. One-stop primary voting begins on April 15, and the official primary day is
May 4. Election Day is Nov. 2.

U.S. Senate

Sen. Richard Burr is facing a contingent of challengers from within his own party and the rivaling Democrats. In addition to Burr, primary choices for Congress on the Republican side will include Larry Linney, Brad Jones and Eddie Burks.

For the Democrats, Marcus W. Williams, Ann Worthy, Elaine Marshall, Ken Lewis, Susan Harris and Cal Cunningham are running.

Also running is Libertarian Michael Beitler.

Only one candidate from each party can advance onto the November elections ballot.

U.S. House

Rep. Mike McIntyre won’t face any challenge from within his own party, but three Republicans will vie for a shot at his seat: Ilario Gregory Pantano, Randy Crow and Will Breazeale.

Julia Boseman’s District 9 State Senate seat

Julia Boseman’s (D-New Hanover) soon-to-be-vacated state senate seat has driven three candidates to declare. A Republican primary will choose between Michael Lee and Thom Goolsby, while a lone democrat, Jim Leutze, advances in November.

Hughes bows out of House District 18

Rep. Sandra Spaulding Hughes is also bowing out and four candidates have already stepped in to bid on her seat: Beth Dawson and
J. Michael Hutson, both Republicans; and James Utley and Susi Hamilton, both Democrats. Only one candidate from each party will advance after the May primary.

Carolyn Justice vies to remain in House District 16

Incumbent Rep. Carolyn Justice (R) will face a challenger, Frank Rivenbark, a Democrat.

McComas and David aren’t going anywhere

Rep. Danny McComas is running unopposed in district 19, as is District Attorney Ben David.

County Commissioner race wide-open

The retirement of Commissioner Bobby Greer after five elected terms in office has given the Democrats a solid chance at changing the make-up of a board that has been traditionally stocked with Republicans.

With two vacancies, Democrats have put forward four candidates: Deborah Butler, Dale Smith, Tom Gale and Sid Causey, former county sheriff.

Several Republicans have also stepped forward including incumbent Bill Caster, Justin Harris, Rick Catlin, Charles Dorman, Justin LaNasa, Brian Berger and Napier Fuller.

Two candidates from each party will be chosen through the primary process and advance to the November ballot.

McMahon gets challenged for sheriff

Sheriff Ed McMahon (D), who was appointed to fill the seat vacated by former sheriff Sid Causey, will be challenged by Republican Marcus T. Benson.

Clerk of Superior Court

Incumbent Brenda Tucker has stepped aside. Lillian Salcines Bright (D) and Jan Kennedy (R) have declared their bids.

Board of Education

No primary will be held for Democrats with four candidates running for the four open seats, but there will be a big one for Republicans. All four school board incumbents are running for re-election: Nick Rhodes, Democrat, as well as Edward Higgins, Janice Cavenaugh and Don Hayes, all Republican.

Joining them will be Democrats Wm. Clancy Thompson, Philip Stine and Joyce Huguelet; and Republicans Derrick Hickey, Steven Bilzi, Stephanie Kraybill, Julia Davis and Laura Parks.

-- Brian Freskos