FRANKLIN COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY
101 WEST NASH STREET
P.O. BOX 909
LOUISBURG, NORTH CAROLINA 27549
(919) 496-1469
www.FranklinNCGOP.com


February 21, 2011
 

Special Sheriff's Election Defeated Along Party Lines: 4-3

 
Republican county Chairman Jeremy Neal, left, distributed 100 letters in support of a special election for sheriff.
Republican Commissioner Don Lancaster, right, makes his case for a special election at the Feb. 21 commissioners meeting.

Several people spoke up in favor and against a special election for sheriff at a packed Feb. 21 Board of Commissioners meeting. Former Democratic Sheriff Pat Green resigned in late January after the SBI found missing money at the Sheriff's Department which is still under investigation. Green had just been sworn in for his second four-year term in January, and resigned less than a month into it. Green had been elected sheriff in 2006 and ran unopposed in the General Election in 2010.

Republican Board of Elections member Sandra Woodland told the commissioners that she and her husband Woody want a special election because she is disappointed that a second sheriff is under a cloud. She went on to say that allowing the voters will restore faith in the sheriff's office.

However, Armenta Eaton, with the Concerned Women for Justice, supports the commissioners to appoint the sheriff and that General Statute 162.5 does not stipulate how long the length of term has to be. She also mentioned the approximate $40,000 cost to have a special election.

Ray Alexander, an independent, said he had never seen such a "partisan political ploy." He said a special election is a "cheap trick" by a handful who want a power grab. He told the commissioners he supports them appointing a sheriff.

County Republican Party Chairman Jeremy Neal countered Alexander and said he supports a special election. He said a cloud, or doubt, or bias could occur if the commissioners appoint the sheriff.

Neal said that if the special election was held during the municipal elections later this year that it would cut one third of the costs. He distributed 100 signed letters to the commissioners by Republicans, Democrats and unaffiliateds who support a special election.

Republican Commissioner Don Lancaster, who had a special election resolution placed on the agenda, said he didn't care if a Republican, Democrat or independent won the election, but he said the right thing to do is have a special election due to the length of the remaining nearly four year term of the office of sheriff.

Republican Commissioner Harry Foy said there is "no better way" than having the citizens vote for sheriff and the money would be well spent.

Democratic Commissioner Penny McGhee wanted to know if a special election could be held during the 2012 elections to save money on costs. County Attorney Darnell Batton said a pre-clearance by the federal government would have to occur for a special election. He also said, according to Board of Elections Director Amy Southerland, that a special election could cost as high or more than $80,000.

However, Ms. McGhee still believes in a public vote in 2012, but did not want to do anything until the SBI investigation was over with the Sheriff's Department.

Democratic Commissioner Shane Mitchell asked who is to judge how much time is left on one term for a special election. He considered it a "slap in the face" in the integrity of the board to be able to select a qualified person for sheriff.

Democratic Commission Chairman Sid Dunston said it was "opening up a can of worms" if having a special election. Never in United States history, Dunston said, has there ever been a special election. He said that when Republican President Richard Nixon resigned in 1974, that Vice President Gerald Ford became president without a special election. However, a special election was held in Massachusettes to fulfill the remaining term of the late Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy. Republican Scott Brown won that election.

Finally, Lancaster made a motion for a special election and Foy seconded it. It was defeated along party lines, 4-3. Republicans Foy, Lancaster and David Bunn voted for the special election while Democrats Dunston, Robert Lee Swanson, Mitchell and McGhee voted against it.

Republican state Rep. Glen Bradley (R-Youngsville) has spoken about introducing legislation to have a special election for sheriff in the county, but it is not known if he will still pursue it since it was defeated by the commissioners.