ROCKINGHAM — Pending a legal formality, Chief Deputy Mark Gulledge will fill out the remainder of the term of late Richmond County Sheriff James E. Clemmons Jr.
The Richmond County Democratic Party announced Saturday afternoon that it had chosen Gulledge to fill Clemmons’ seat.
Clemmons passed away at his home Thursday, Aug. 5 at the age of 60.
N.C. General Statute 163-5.1 lays out the process for filling the vacancy of a sheriff:
“If any vacancy occurs in the office of sheriff, the coroner of the county shall execute all process directed to the sheriff until the board shall elect a sheriff to supply the vacancy for the residue of the term, who shall possess the same qualifications, enter into the same bond, and be subject to removal, as the sheriff regularly elected. If the sheriff were elected as a nominee of a political party, the board of commissioners shall consult the county executive committee of that political party before filling the vacancy, and shall elect the person recommended by the county executive committee of that party, if the party makes a recommendation within 30 days of the occurrence of the vacancy. If the board should fail to fill such vacancy, the coroner shall continue to discharge the duties of sheriff until it shall be filled.”
That statute applies to 44 of North Carolina’s 100 counties, including Richmond.
According to a press release, the executive committee held an emergency meeting Aug. 10 — the same day as Clemmons’ funeral — to address the issue.
“During this meeting, the Party and its officers opened the floor for any recommended names of any of the members, as well as review of the presented General Statutes in order to ensure the smooth process of the filling of this vacancy,” the press release continues. “During the meeting, the finalized recommendation for the vacancy was concluded to be current Chief Deputy Mark Gulledge. It was motioned, seconded and unanimously approved to present this name for the candidacy to the Richmond County Board of Commissioners for consideration of appointment and approval to this vacant office.”
Local Democratic Party Chair Crystal Morrison and other party members met with Gulledge on Aug. 12 and he accepted, according to the press release.
“We are honored to present Chief Deputy Mark B. Gulledge as the Richmond County Democratic Party’s recommendation to fill the Sheriff of Richmond County Sheriff to the Richmond County Board of Commissioners,” the release states.
Commissioners are scheduled to hold a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17 to accept the nomination in Courtroom C of the Richmond County Judicial Center.
On Friday afternoon, the board had nothing official, according to Clerk Dena Cook.
During Clemmons’ funeral, Gulledge recalled when he was first assigned to Clemmons’ shift as a road deputy in 1999.
Hoke County Sheriff Dr. Hubert Peterkin told the audience that he had spoken to Clemmons the night before his death.
“If something happens to me, this is what has to take place: I want my chief deputy to take my place,” Peterkin recalled Clemmons saying, urging those making the decision to “do the right thing.”
Pending delays due to redistricting, Gulledge will have to file in December to run in the 2022 election, according to Elections Director Connie Kelly. If another Democrat enters the race, there will be a primary in March to decide who goes on to the general election.
Gulledge will be only the fourth sheriff of Richmond County since Raymond Goodman was first elected in 1950. Goodman served until 1994 and was succeeded by Dale Furr. Clemmons was elected in 2010 and won two subsequent reelections.
Gulledge could not be reached for comment Saturday evening.
