Former Fayetteville City Councilwoman Val Applewhite and Dennis Britt filed Thursday for N.C. Senate District 19, while Frances Jackson entered the race for the N.C. House 45 seat now occupied by Rep. John Szoka.
“It’s a big step,” Applewhite said of her bid to take on state Sen. Kirk deViere. “We’ve kept in touch. Kirk and I go way back. We’ll have some good debates. I wouldn’t get in the race if I didn’t think I have a chance. And come May 17, the people will decide.”
Applewhite, who twice ran unsuccessfully for mayor, was on the City Council from 2007-2013. She is a Democrat; Britt is a Republican.
In other filings, Michael Robert Andriani filed for the U.S. House of Representatives in District 9 against incumbent Richard Hudson.
Four more people filed for the City Council, and the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners saw another at-large candidate.
The filing period ends at noon Friday.
William Milbourne III becomes the second person to challenge Kathy Keefe Jensen in District 1, where Jensen is looking for a fifth term. The other candidate is Alex Rodriguez.
Joseph Dewberry and James Vernon Peterson filed for the District 2 seat. They are among four people challenging incumbent Shakeyla Ingram, a freshman councilwoman who is seeking re-election. Janene Ackles and former councilman Tyron Williams are the other two who have filed.
William Grantham is the second challenger to file for the seat held by 10-term Councilman D.J. Haire, who has filed for re-election in District 4. Thomas Greene previously filed.
Veronica B. Jones filed as an at-large candidate for the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners.
The primary is scheduled for May 17.
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
