Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
Filing for the 2022 election season opened on Monday, Dec. 6 at noon, with the filing period closing on Friday, Dec. 17 at noon. Candidates running for statewide primary elections and local county offices are making their campaigns official.
“Choosing to run for an elected office is a major decision,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board. “We want filing to be a smooth and customer-friendly process for all candidates, and we have strived to create an efficient and safe environment for everyone.”
Local offices
Several local offices will be decided in the 2022 election for Swain County, including: Clerk of Court, Register of Deeds, Sheriff, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Board of Commissioners (2), and Board of Education (2).
In addition, those running for N.C. Senate, N.C. House of Representatives are filing at their local offices.
As of Wednesday morning, the following candidates have filed at Swain County Board of Elections:
Curtis Cochran, Republican, incumbent has filed for Sheriff. In addition, Clerk of Superior Court incumbent, Misti Watson Jones, Democrat, has filed for re-election as has Register of Deeds incumbent Diana Williamson Kirkland, Democrat.
For Swain County Board of Education, incumbent Travis Hyatt, Democrat, has filed to run again as has newcomer R.L. Taylor, Republican.
Kevin Seagle, who currently serves as a Commissioner, has filed for the Chairman of Commissioners race.
Two new candidates, both Republican have filed for Swain County Commissioner: Isaac Herrin and Donna Cole.
Mike Clampitt, Republican, incumbent has filed for NC House 119-Representative.
Recently, Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Macon), announced he will seek a second term as Senator for district 50, opting not to make a run for the new 14th District for US Congress. Congressman Madison Cawthorn announced he will not run for re-election in the district, instead making a bid for neighboring district 13.
State filing
Primary candidates for several offices file with the state board, including U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, N.C. Supreme Court Justice, Judge of N.C. Court of Appeals, Superior Court judge, District Court Judge and District Attorney.
Filing fees are required for all offices.
At the beginning of the week, candidate filing for U.S. House, N.C. House and N.C. Senate was temporarily suspended in a case disputing the legality of the newly drawn districts by Republican state lawmakers following the 2020 Census. Plaintiffs argue the maps are unconstitutionally gerrymandered.
The move by the courts to permit parties to submit arguments to the Court of Appeals. However, the courts lifted the stay Monday night and filing resumed Tuesday morning.
About the election
The primary will be held March 8 with early voting beginning Feb. 17. Absentee by mail requests will begin Jan. 17, and the deadline for voter registration in the primary is Feb. 11.
The general election will be Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.
For more information, contact the Swain County Board of Elections at 828-488-6177 or visit http://www.swaincountync.gov/Elections/elections-home.html.