Dan Soucek files

in 93rd state House race
By Scott Nicholson
nicholson@wataugademocrat.com

A Boone man has filed to oppose Democratic incumbent Cullie Tarleton for the 93rd District N.C. House of Representatives seat.

Republican Dan Soucek, who works in international disaster relief with Samaritan’s Purse, filed Thursday.

“I love living in this area and want to represent the needs and values of this area in Raleigh,” Soucek said. “I’ve been in the community awhile and I’m at a place in my life when I feel I can serve well and strongly. I feel there’s a need right now.”

Soucek, a political newcomer, said he was familiar with the district, which includes Watauga and Ashe counties, because of his work with Young Life and working with students and their parents. “I have a good connection with a broad base of the population,” he said. “I have the basics of friendships, being part of the community and raising a family here.”

Ted McEntire of Spruce Pine has filed for 24th District Court judge. A former Marion attorney practicing domestic, criminal and juvenile law, McEntire joined the 24th District Attorney’s office in 1997 and is in his 11th year.

Incumbents Greg Horne of Boone, a former assistant district attorney, and Roy Alexander Lyerly of Banner Elk have filed for reelection as 24th District Court judges, with three seats open. The race is non-partisan and the district includes Watauga, Avery, Mitchell, Madison and Yancey counties. Incumbents Steve Combs and Deborah Miller, along with newcomer Marsha Walpole, have filed for the Watauga County Board of Education, with three seats open. N.C. Sen. Steve Goss (D-45) and Tarleton have all filed for reelection and Boone dentist Jerry Butler as filed as a Republican challenger to Goss.

U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-5) has filed for reelection, and Roy Carter of Ashe County and Diane Hamby of Iredell County have filed as Democratic challengers for the seat. Incumbent Republican JoAnn Townsend has filed for Register of Deeds, and Democratic county commissioners Jim Deal and Winston Kinsey have filed for reelection.

The 2008 filing period ends at noon on Feb. 29.