ROCKINGHAM — It was pretty quiet at the Richmond County Board of Elections office Wednesday, with only two candidates throwing their proverbial hats in the ring for the upcoming municipal elections.
Hoffman Town Council members Daniel Kelly and Rory K. Jones both signed up to retain their seats, according to Elections Director Connie Kelly.
The only other elected official from the northern Richmond County town to file so far has been Mayor Tommy Hart, who filed on Tuesday.
All seats in Hoffman are up for reelection, as that town has two-year, non-staggered terms.
So far, 13 candidates, including two newcomers, will be on the cities’ and towns’ respective ballots.
Filing opened at noon Friday, July 2, with Hamlet Councilman Eddie Martin arriving early to sign up. He was followed by fellow Councilman Jesse McQueen, who was also early, according to elections staff.
Their seats are the only ones on the Hamlet City Council up for grabs.
Abbie Covington will be able to finish out the term for the Hamlet City Council seat to which she was appointed, according to city leaders.
Covington, who previously served on the council and as mayor during five decades, was appointed in 2020 to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Terry Moore, a former police chief, who had won the seat in the November 2019 election.
Current Mayor Bill Bayless also filed on Friday.
All four candidates for Rockingham — Mayor Steve Morris and council members Anne Edwards Denise Sullivan and Gene Willard — have filed, with no competition thus far. Morris, Sullivan and Willard filed July 2 and Edwards filed July 6, according to election records.
The top two vote-getters in the council election will have a four-year term and the third-highest will serve a two-year term.
Only one sitting Dobbins Heights Town Council member, Angeline David, has filed for that town’s election, which will be Oct. 5. The seat held by Mayor Pro Tem Tyré Holloway is also up for grabs.
While none of the current town commissioners for Ellerbe have yet filed, Thomas R. Grooms and Bennett Hawks entered the race on Tuesday.
The seats opening for the town are currently held by Mayor Fred Cloninger and council members Jean Fletcher, Elsie Freeman, Archie Robinson and John Sears Jr.
The elections for Rockingham, Hamlet, Ellerbe and Hoffman will be Nov. 2
Filing fees are as follows:
- $30 – Hamlet mayor
- $10 – Rockingham mayor, Rockingham City Council, Hamlet City Council, Ellerbe Mayor, Ellerbe Town Commission
- $5 – Dobbins Height Town Council, Hoffman mayor, Hoffman City Council
Filing ends at noon July 16.
