RALEIGH, N.C. (WGHP) — 14 people in total are competing in the North Carolina Republican and Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial primaries.
As high-profile Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson moved on to run for the governor’s mansion, the race opened up to competitors on the left and right.
The candidates running on the Democrat side are:
- Ben Clark, a former state senator from Chatham County who ran for Congress in the 9th District last November.
- Rachel Hunt, a state senator from Mecklenburg County and daughter of former Gov. Jim Hunt.
- Mark H. Robinson, a veteran from Sampson County
The Republican race was more crowded, with 11 potential candidates. The Republicans running the highly competitive race are:
- Deanna Ballard, a former senator in the 45th District of North Carolina.
- Peter Boykin, owner of the conservative political website GoRightNews.com and founder of “Gays for Trump.”
- Rivera Douthit, an evangelist from Mooresville.
- Jeffrey Elmore, a long-time representative in House District 94 and teacher in Wilkes County Public Schools.
- Marlenis Hernandez Novoa, a paramedic and firefighter.
- Allen Mashburn, pastor of Asbury Baptist Church in Randolph County.
- Jim O’Neill, long-time District Attorney of Forsyth County
- Sam Page, the sheriff of Rockingham County
- Ernest Reeves, former military assistant to a US Ambassador and a Democrat who switched parties in 2021
- Hal Weatherman, who was chief of staff and campaign manager for former Lt. Gov. Dan Forest.
- Attorney Seth Woodall
The lieutenant governor is a member of the Council of State, the North Carolina Board of Education, the North Carolina Capital Planning Commission and the North Carolina Board of Community Colleges and serves as the chairman of the eLearning Commission, according to the North Carolina state website.
Source: Fox 8 News Channel