ROCKINGHAM — One municipal race in Richmond County is heating up, pitting a current councilman against a former mayor.
Lee Berry, co-owner of the Berry Batch, went to the Richmond County Board of Elections on Monday to file to run for mayor of Ellerbe.
Berry previously served three terms as mayor. He then ran for county commissioner in the 2020 election, securing the most votes in the Republican primary. However, he dropped out of the race that summer due to his son’s health.
He will be facing Jeremy McKenzie, who has served on the Ellerbe Town Council for nearly a decade.
McKenzie was first elected to the board in 2015, and ran an unsuccessful campaign for the Richmond County Board of Education in 2022. McKenzie is also chairman of the Richmond County Democratic Party.
Current mayor Brenda Capel has not yet filed for reelection.
The only candidate to file for Ellerbe Town Council thus far is Elsie Freeman.
In the Seaboard City, Mayor Amy Guinn remains unopposed. However, incumbent Councilmen Eddie Martin and Tony Clewis face challenges from Esco Lattimer and Amber Daniels.
Three incumbents — Riccardo Anderson, Rory Kevin Jones and Daniel Kelly — have filed for the Hoffman Town Council, as has challenger April Watkins. Incumbents Kyonna Jones and Cynthia Northcutt have yet to file.
There has also not been anyone to file for mayor — including current mayor Karla Bostick.
All seats in Hoffman are two-year, non-staggered terms.
In Dobbins Heights, the seats held by Angeline David and Tyre Holloway are up for reelection. David has filed but, as of July 14, Holloway — who also serves as the town clerk — had not.
Rockingham Mayor John Hutchinson is, so far, unopposed. Incumbents Denise Sullivan and Debbie Wrenn have filed to retain their city council seats, with newcomer Greg Leberth vying for a seat.
Sitting Councilman Gene Willard had yet to file.
(NOTE: All information is as of 1 p.m. July 14, with the exception of Berry.)
Filing ends at noon on Friday, July 18.
Municipal elections will be Nov. 4, except for that of Dobbins Heights, which is scheduled for Oct. 7.
