ROCKINGHAM — When the doors opened for filing at the Richmond County Board of Elections at noon Monday, the first two through the door were candidates vying for the same office.
Sheriff Mark Gulledge and challenger Tahid “Ty” Rucker were two of the seven candidates who filed locally.
Both candidates have been in law enforcement for two decades, with Rucker joining the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office five years after Gulledge — both starting at the jail.
Gulledge later became a road deputy and was chosen to be chief deputy for Sheriff James Clemmons in 2010, a post he held until Clemmons’ sudden passing in 2020.
Gulledge was recommended to succeed Clemmons by the Democratic Party of Richmond County, a measure that was approved by the Richmond County Board of Commissioners.
In the 2022 election, Gulledge won a primary challenge against Nigel Bristow, and changed his political affiliation to the Republican Party in May 2023.
As for Rucker’s career, he was promoted to deputy four years after being hired and became a detective in the Vice Narcotics Unit in 2010. In 2021, after a decade as detective, Rucker became the assistant jail administrator.
He left RCSO in 2024 and worked as a school resource officer in Scotland County before transitioning to jail administrator.
Also on Monday, two challengers filed to run for the Board of Commissioners: pastor Linda S. Ross and Steve’s Wings founder Melissa Schoonover. This is the first time running for Schoonover and the third for Ross.
None of the four incumbents — Dr. Rick Watkins, Jason Gainey, Justin Dawkins and Robin Roberts — filed on the first day.
Bobbie Sue Ormsby was the only member of the Richmond County Board of Education to file Monday, however Cory Satterfield and Scotty Baldwin filed on Tuesday.
The other open seat on the school board is currently held by Daryl Mason.
The only other candidates to locally file Monday were Clerk of Superior Court Vickie Daniel and state Rep. Ben Moss.
If elected, this will be the fourth term for Ormsby, Daniel and Moss.
State Sen. Dave Craven filed in his home county of Randolph.
As of this writing, Moss and Craven are both unchallenged for their seats in the General Assembly.
Candidates vying for district attorney, federal office and judicial seats are required to file in Raleigh.
Records with the N.C. State Board of Elections show that District Attorney Jamie Adams filed to retain her seat, with a challenge from Herman Little.
A Detroit native, Adams was appointed in 2024 to fill the remainder of the term vacated by Reece Saunders. Before coming to District 21, she had previously served as an assistant district attorney in Mecklenburg, Catawba, Burke and Caldwell counties.
Little, a Richmond County native, has served as a public defender, assistant district attorney, judge advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve and is currently assistant attorney general in the N.C. Department of Justice.
District Court Judge Chevonne Wallace also filed to retain her seat on the bench.
Kevin Clark, former chairman of the local Democratic Party, filed to run for the U.S. House of Representatives seat currently held by Rep. Mark Harris. Clark challenged Craven for the state Senate seat in 2024.
Nigel Bristow, of Hamlet, filed to run against U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson for the 9th Congressional District. Federal representatives do not have to live in the district they represent.
Filing closes at noon Dec. 19. Filing fees vary and potential candidates should contact the Board of Elections for more information.
The primary election, and school board election, is scheduled for March 3, 2026.
NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect that Scotty Baldwin filed just after this article was originally published. 4:04 p.m. 12-2-25.
This story has been updated to correct an error in a date. 8:21 p.m. 12-2-25.
