The date for filing hasn’t even been set in stone, but a third candidate has announced plans to run for sheriff next year.
Jason Soles said Sunday in a social media post that he intends to file for sheriff. Soles is expected to face Victor Jacobs in the Democrat primary. Republican incumbent Jody Greene has also said he intends to run.
Soles said in his Facebook post that he has 17 years of law enforcement experience. He worked for the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office under former Sheriff Lewis Hatcher. Soles was a road deputy as well as investigator. He reached the rank of captain in the sheriff’s office.
Soles served briefly under Greene when the Hatcher/Greene race was being decided by the courts. Soles later worked for the Whiteville Police Department. He currently has a custom cabinet business.
“With your support, I will focus on bringing unity back to our county while rebuilding relationships with local, state, and federal agencies,” Soles said in his post. “Cooperation and partnerships are vital for successful community prosperity.”
Exactly when that election will be held remains to be seen.
North Carolina had rescheduled primary elections for March, with early voting starting in February. Filing would begin in December under that calendar. The move came in response to other states that moved primaries earlier and earlier. State officials felt North Carolina was being deprived of a voice in national elections by having primaries in May.
However, 2010 was a Census year. The data was delayed due to the pandemic. Since districts are determined based on census data, a number of local governments across the state are still wondering if they will need to carve our new districts this year.
State and federal law require redistricting if there is more than a 10 percent change in racial makeup in counties, Elections Supervisor Carla Strickland explained.
The sheriff, clerk of superior court, and register of deeds are all scheduled to be on the 2022 ballot.
Although those races are determined by the entire county, the delay over districts would likely out the entire election on hold. County commission seats held by Ricky Bullard, Charles McDowell and Jerome McMillian are also up next year. The commissioners and school board races require new districts be worked out if there are significant changes in census data. Whiteville’s city council races are also currently scheduled for March, since those seats are decided by district.
In addition, North Carolina is gaining a congressional seat this year. That requires new congressional districts to be created by the General Assembly. Democrat leaders at the state and federal levels have already threatened to file lawsuits against any new districts created by the Republican-dominated legislature.
In the event the elections are delayed, Strickland said, it’s likely the May primary would be around for one more year.
“We’re just kind of on hold right now,” she said.
