Filing period ends,

no Republican candidates

for county Board of Commissioners
By Scott Nicholson
nicholson@wataugademocrat.com

With the filing period over, the Watauga County Board of Commissioners is almost guaranteed to remain in the hands of the Democrats.

No Republican candidates filed for county commission, with three seats open. Incumbents Jim Deal and Winston Kinsey have no opponents and will return to the board barring a late campaign by an independent candidate, who would have to come up with a petition bearing the signatures of 4 percent of the electorate before appearing on the General Election ballot.

In District I, two Democratic candidates will vie in the primary to replace Mary Moretz on the commission. Doug McGuinn, who lost to Moretz in 2006, is running again "because I think the common person doesn't have a voice on the commission."

McGuinn said the economy is slumping and headed for a recession and the local economy relies too much on real estate and visitors.

"Watauga County is dependent too much on the second-home market and tourists," he said. "The second-home market is going to collapse. We have high real estate values and our young people are forced out of the county. Too many people who work in the county have to live outside the county."

Tim Futrelle filed for the seat, marking his first run for public office. "I've become more and more active in the last few years," Futrelle said. "I've seen this opportunity arise and it's time to step up and serve the people of Watauga County."

Futrelle said his experience in corporate management would help in running the county. He stressed a commitment to the high school, water availability and law enforcement as important issues, and said he'd given running a lot of consideration to ensure he'd be able to invest the necessary time for the position.

The May 8 primary ballot will feature at least one other district race. Dwight Shook, chairman of the Alexander County Republican Party, has filed to run against Boone dentist Jerry Butler for the party nomination for the District 45 N.C. Senate seat. Incumbent Democrat Steve Goss has filed for a second term.

Incumbent Democrat Cullie Tarleton has filed for a second term in the N.C. House of representatives, and Republican Dan Soucek has filed to run against him for the District 93 seat.

The school board race grew a little more crowded, as David Albert Ward and Joni Horine joined three others in the race to fill three open seats. Incumbents Steve Combs and Deborah Miller are seeking re-election and Marsha Walpole has also filed for the seat.

Election dates:
April
Friday, April 11—Voter Registration deadline for May 6 Primary Election. Forms must be postmarked or delivered in person by 5 p.m. on April 11.
Thursday, April 17—One Stop Absentee voting begins for Primary
Tuesday, April 29—Last day to request absentee ballots in writing.
May
Saturday, May 3—One-Stop Absentee Voting ends at 1 p.m.
Tuesday, May 6—Primary Day
Tuesday, May 13—Canvass Day 11 a.m.
June
Monday, June 9—Soil & Water Conservation District filing opens at noon
Tuesday, June 24—Second Primary Day (if Necessary)
July
Tuesday, July 1—Canvass Day for Second Primary (if Necessary) 11 a.m.
Monday, July 7—Soil & Water Conservation District filing ends at noon.
September
Monday, Sept. 15—Absentee ballots ready for General Election.
October
Friday, Oct. 10—Voter registration deadline for Nov. 4 General Election. Forms must be postmarked or delivered in person by 5 p.m. on Oct. 10.
Thursday, Oct. 16—One-stop Absentee voting begins for the General Election.
Tuesday, Oct. 28—Last day to request absentee ballots in writing.
November
Saturday, Nov. 1—One-Stop Absentee voting ends at 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 4—General Election Day
Friday, Nov. 14—Canvass Day for General Election 11 a.m.
Source: Watauga County Board of Elections