Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
After months of candidate filing being put on hold in North Carolina, those seeking to run for office were once again given the chance to file beginning last Thursday, Feb. 24. A three-judge panel the previous day issued a decision on a redistricting lawsuit approving the legislature’s map for state legislative offices but decided against the Republican-led legislature’s congressional maps.
With the judges deciding that the legislator’s revised map still disenfranchises some voters, particularly African-Americans, the court decided to instead adopt a nonpartisan map.
This map was developed for the courts by three special masters (former judges) who were assisted by four nonpartisan political experts. This map will be used for the 2022 elections and the General Assembly will have to go back to the drawing board for future elections.
The newly adopted map puts Swain County and all of western North Carolina, from Yancey, McDowell and the western half of Rutherford west in District 11. (See sidebar for a list of candidates who have filed.) With the inclusion of Buncombe and Henderson counties, the district gives Republican candidates a lesser advantage than the previously adopted 14th district.
On Monday, Madison Cawthorn (R-Hendersonville) announced he will seek the seat. He currently represents Swain County and much of WNC.
The N.C. House map will also be different for the 119th district now pairing Transylvania County with Swain and Jackson instead of Haywood. That county is now paired with Madison County in the 118th district. This will mean Mike Clampitt (R-Swain), will no longer be competing for the seat against Joe Sam Queen (D-Haywood). The two have gone back and forth with the seat for the past several election cycles. Swain County will continue to be in the 50th district with much of the far west, including Transylvania and most of Haywood County for the Senate seat, currently held by Kevin Corbin (R-Macon).
The General Assembly (defendants in the case) filed a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court Friday, leaving it up to the highest court to decide if it will even hear the case.
With a decision made, North Carolina’s Board of Elections resumed filing on Thursday. This filing period is open through noon tomorrow (March 4). The primary is set for May 17.
A few additional candidates have filed for seats on Swain County Board of Commissioners and Swain County Board of Education since filing resumed Thursday. David Loftis (R), has filed for commissioner and Jamie Fisher (D), and Joshua Oliver (R), have filed for education board.
To view the up-to-date candidate lists for North Carolina offices, visit https://www.ncsbe.gov/results-data/candidate-lists.
Information for candidates seeking to file can be found at https://www.ncsbe.gov/candidates/running-office.