Candidates forum set for Thursday

Published 8:13 pm Tuesday, October 14, 2014

A forum for candidates seeking seats in the N.C. General Assembly is set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Building 8 auditorium at Beaufort County Community College.

The Beaufort County Republican Party and the Beaufort County Democratic Party are sponsoring the forum.

“Dick Denton, chairman of the Beaufort County Republican Party, and I wanted to provide a nonpartisan forum for candidates seeking state office,” said Laurel Miller, chairwoman of the Beaufort County Democratic Party, on Tuesday.

The forum will feature candidates for the District 1 seat in the state Senate and candidates seeking to represent District 3 and District 6 in the state House. Candidates will answer questions submitted by the two political parties and people who attend the forum.

“Everyone has agreed to attend, except for Stan White,” Miller said.

White, the Democrat challenging incumbent Sen. Bill Cook, a Republican from Beaufort County, is scheduled to attend a Thursday meeting involving teachers, Miller said. However, she noted, if that meeting does not take place, White could attend the forum. White lives in Dare County.

Incumbent state Rep. Michael Speciale, a Republican, is facing a challenge for the District 3 seat from Democrat Whit Whitley. Each is from Craven County.

Incumbent state Rep. Paul Tine, a Democrat, is facing opposition for the District 6 seat from Mattie Lawson, a Republican. Each is from Dare County.

Statewide judicial candidates were invited to attend the forum, but Miller is not sure of any will attend.

Kellie Harris Hopkins, Beaufort County’s elections director, will serve as forum moderator.

The general election is Nov. 4. The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 4 general election was Oct. 10. One-stop (early) voting begins Oct. 23. One-stop voting ends at 1 p.m. Nov. 1. The last day to request an absentee ballot by mail is Oct. 28. The last day to return an absentee ballot by mail is Nov. 4. Canvassing of ballots begins Nov. 14. The last day to file and election protest is Nov. 18. The statewide canvass of election returns is set for Nov. 25.