Court hearing for Dare candidate delayed

When Ryan Michael White filed as a Republican candidate for Dare County sheriff, it was just one week before he was due in Dare County District Court on misdemeanor charges involving two alleged drug offenses and a reckless driving offense.

But White's day in court that was scheduled for Thursday was delayed: The case has been continued until May 6.

White, 34, of Rodanthe, was charged Jan. 13 with one count each of possession of marijuana up to one-half ounce, possession of drug paraphernalia and reckless driving to endanger, all misdemeanors.

In a telephone message, White declined to comment other than to say, "I don't feel guilty."

Public records on the North Carolina Department of Correction Web site show White was convicted of driving offenses and drug possession offenses in 2001, driving and drug possession offenses in 2002, drug and alcohol offenses in 2003, and driving offenses in 2004, all misdemeanors.

White, a registered Republican since 1994, filed at the Dare County Board of Elections office Feb. 25, director Melva Garrison said. He owns a retail bait-and-tackle store in Rodanthe called Hatteras Jack.

He will be facing Republican John Douglas Doughtie in the May 4 primary. Whoever wins the primary will run against the Democratic candidate, incumbent Sheriff Rodney Midgett, in the Nov. 2 election.