By Ivey Schofield
In Columbus County, suspended sheriff Jody Greene has dominated headlines in the weeks ahead of the Nov. 8 election. But voters will also decide on several other races, from the U.S. Senate to local school boards.
Here are some key points:
- The race between Republican Ted Budd and Democrat Cheri Beasley in North Carolina could help decide which party has control of the U.S. Senate. The chamber is now split evenly, but Democrats control the agenda.
- Democrats currently control the U.S. House, but Republicans could win enough seats this fall to take over. Rep. David Rouzer, a Wilmington Republican who represents Columbus County, is vying against Charles Graham, a Democrat who represented Robeson County for years in the N.C. House.
- The N.C. Supreme Court has a Democratic majority, but that would change if Republicans win at least one of the two seats up for grabs. As the state’s highest court, justices could soon consider issues such as abortion and marijuana legalization.
- Republican Jody Greene, who was suspended by a Superior Court judge in October following the release of a 2019 recorded phone call in which Greene made racist comments, will remain on the ballot. But a hearing is set for Oct. 24 for a judge to determine whether Greene will be removed from office. In that case, it’s unclear what would happen if Greene wins more votes than Democratic opponent Jason Soles. Read more here: Can Jody Greene, who has a history of controversy, outlast this one?
Here’s everyone who is running:
U.S. Senate
Ted Budd (Republican)
Cheri Beasley (Democrat)
Matthew Hoh (Green)
Shannon W. Bray (Libertarian)
U.S. House (District 7)
David Rouzer (Republican)
Charles Graham (Democrat)
N.C. Supreme Court (Seat 3)
Richard Dietz (Republican)
Lucy Inman (Democrat)
N.C. Supreme Court (Seat 5)
Sam J. Ervin IV (Democrat)
Trey Allen (Republican)
N.C. Court of Appeals (Seat 8)
Julee Tate Flood (Republican)
Carolyn Jennings Thompson (Democrat)
N.C. Court of Appeals (Seat 9)
Brad A. Salmon (Democrat)
Donna Stroud (Republican)
N.C. Court of Appeals (Seat 10)
John M. Tyson (Republican)
Gale Murray Adams (Democrat)
N.C. Court of Appeals (Seat 11)
Darren Jackson (Democrat)
Michael J. Stading (Republican)
N.C. Senate (District 8)
Bill Rabon (Republican)
N.C. House of Representatives (District 46)
Brenden H. Jones (Republican)
N.C. District Court Judge (District 13, Seat 1)
Will M. Callihan, Jr. (Republican)
N.C. District Court Judge (District 13, Seat 2)
Quintin McGee (Democrat)
Bryan Wilson (Republican)
N.C. District Court Judge (District 13, Seat 7)
Sarah McPherson (Republican)
District Attorney (District 15)
Jon David (Republican)
Columbus County Board of Commissioners (District 1)
Barbara Roseboro Featherson (Democrat)
Columbus County Board of Commissioners (District 6)
Ricky Bullard (Republican)
Columbus County Board of Commissioners (District 7)
Scott S. Floyd (Republican)
Edward Squires (Democrat)
Columbus County Clerk of Superior Court
Jesse Hill (Republican)
Columbus County Sheriff
Jody Greene (Republican)
Jason Soles (Democrat)
Columbus Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor
Frank Galloway
Jimmy Malpass
Columbus County Schools Board of Education (District 2)
Timothy Lance
Ronnie Strickland
Columbus County Schools Board of Education (District 3)
William Irvin Enzor III
Jerome McMillian
Frankye Boone
Columbus County Schools Board of Education (District 4)
Chris Worley
Whiteville City Schools Board of Education (at large)
Elgin Tremayne Collier
R. Byron Fisher
Ernest (Ernie) Gaskins
Whiteville City Schools Board of Education (District 1)
Phyllis W. Haynes
Anna Hall Richardson
Whiteville City Schools Board of Education (District 2)
Jason Wayne Elleby
David Flowers