Home Local News Libertarian, 2 Union County Republicans file for 9th District election

Libertarian, 2 Union County Republicans file for 9th District election

Libertarian Jeff Scott and Union County Republicans Stony Rushing and Fern Shubert were the only three candidates to file for the 9th Congressional District special election on Monday.

ROCKINGHAM — The first day of filing for the 9th Congressional District special election ended with three candidates, but only one familiar name.

Charlotte Libertarian Jeff Scott was one of three candidates to file with the North Carolina State Board of Elections on Monday.

Scott has already been through the election once, going up against Republican Mark Harris and Democrat Dan McCready in November’s general election. He came in a distant third while only 905 votes separated the main party candidates before the state board refused to certify the election following allegations of election fraud in Bladen County.

He is scheduled to be Tuesday morning’s guest on Good Morning Sandhills.

The other two candidates to file were both Union County Republicans: County Commissioner Stony Rushing of Wingate; and former state legislator Fern Shubert of Marshville.

Shubert was elected to the N.C. House of Representatives in 1994, 1996 and 2000 and to the state Senate in 2002, according to Ballotpedia. She also ran unsuccessful campaigns for governor in 2004, state Senate in 2010 and state auditor in 2012.

Rushing served on the Union County Board of Commissioners from 2002-2006 and was elected again in 2014, according to the county’s website.

He was also endorsed by Harris, who declined to run again, citing health problems. The two-time candidate (Harris) defeated incumbent Rep. Robert Pittenger in the Republican primary last year.

Several other Republicans have announced their intent to run including: former Mecklenburg County Commissioner Matthew Ridenhour; and Fayetteville businesswoman Stevie Rivenbark, who made her announcement via YouTube last Monday.

Wake County Republican David Blackwelder had planned to run, but the Charlotte Observer reports he decided against it.

The U.S. Constitution doesn’t require members of the U.S. House of Representatives to live in the district they’re elected to represent, only the state.

Clarence Goins Jr., who was the only candidate in the original race not from Mecklenburg County, previously told the RO that he hadn’t ruled out running again.

There have been conflicting media reports as to whether or not state Sen. Dan Bishop has announced his intent to run.

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Aside from Harris and Blackwelder, former Charlotte mayor and governor Pat McCrory said he would not run, hinting instead at a possible shot at the U.S. Senate when Sen. Richard Burr retires.

Union County GOP Chairman Dan Barry has also decided to pass up the chance to go to Washington, as has former state Sen. Tommy Tucker of Waxhaw, who defeated Shubert in the 2010 Republican primary.

McCready did not file on Monday, but has already started campaigning.

While he could be challenged from within his own party, state Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Goodwin previously told the RO that he was unaware of anyone planning to do so.

The race is also open to the Green and Constitution parties, which were recognized by the state last year.

The 9th Congressional District includes Anson, Richmond, Scotland, Robeson and Union counties, as well as parts of Mecklenburg, Bladen and Cumberland counties.

The seat in the U.S. House of Representatives has been vacant for more than three months. Congress was sworn in Jan. 3.

Filing ends on Friday.

Documents from the state board show 21 candidates vying for the 3rd Congressional District seat, left vacant from the recent death of Rep. Walter Jones.

The field includes six candidates from the Democratic Party, 17 from the GOP, two Libertarians and one candidate from the Constitution Party.

 



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Managing Editor William R. Toler is an award-winning writer and photographer with experience in print, television and online media.