Upcoming N.C. elections packed with challengers

North Carolina state Rep. W.C. "Bill" Owens Jr., a Pasquotank County Democrat, faces his first opponent in 16 years, as a large slate of candidates finished filing Friday for local, state and national races in North Carolina.

Owens and powerful state Sen. Marc Basnight, a Dare Democrat, might be vulnerable, said Bill Blevins, chairman of the Pasquotank County Republican Party.

"Owens is a favorite son here and done a good job," Blevins said. "Seeing what has happened in Washington, we need a two-party system."

In the Nov. 2 general election, Owens will face Republican John J. Woodard Jr., who is also from Elizabeth City.

Owens has worked closely over the years with Basnight, who will oppose Beaufort County commissioner Hood Richardson, a Republican.

Congressional races in North Carolina are packed with challengers.

In the May 4 primary, U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C. of the 3rd District, runs against two other Republicans, then a Democrat and a Libertarian in the fall.

U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, a Democrat, faces Chad Larkins in the primary, then the winner among four Republicans next fall.

Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., has three other Republicans to face in the primary and then a Libertarian and the winner among six Democrats in November.

On the county level, veteran Currituck County commissioners Barry Nelms and Gene Gregory both take on Democrat opponents in the primary and Republican opponents Nov. 2.

Moyock commissioner Janet Taylor will run against a Republican in the general election.

No party dominates Currituck County. Democrats outnumber Republicans 5,342 to 5,175, but unaffiliated registered voters top both parties at 5,561.

Currituck County commissioner races have been heated in recent years as issues about growth on the mainland and commercial development on the Outer Banks continue to be at the forefront.

In 2006, Democrats took the seats of three long-time incumbent Republicans after an acrimonious campaign. The one remaining Republican on the five-member board battled with the Democrats as they reversed direction on several projects began by previous commissioners.

In 2008, the board expanded from five to seven members. Three Republicans won to form a majority.

Some of the earlier projects were revived, such as a bike trail in Corolla and the 100-acre 4-H Rural Life Center, called the "horse farm," a hot issue in the 2006 election.

Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com