Unopposed Candidates Proliferate in Local Races

After the filing period ended at noon Friday, candidates for two mayoral and three Wake County school board seats were unopposed.

Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker is unopposed in his attempt for a fourth term.

"As a citizen, you know, I think you would like to see choices. As a voter, I'd like to see that. But as a candidate, it's much easier to not have to worry what's gonna happen, so I have mixed feelings on it," said Meeker.

No candidate emerged to challenge Fayetteville Mayor Tony Chavonne, either.

 The Durham mayoral race is hotter, with incumbent Bill Bell being challenged by Durham City Council member Thomas Stith. Bell is seeking to be Durham's first mayor to be elected to a fourth term.

Stith has charged Bell with being ineffective in fighting the Bull City's rising crime rate, while Bell pledged to to expand revitalization in the inner city neighbors.

The Cary mayoral race is also competitive, with former town councilman Harold Weinbrecht challenging incumbent Ernie McAllister.

Candidates for three of the five open seats on the Wake County Board of Education are also unopposed, at a time with the school board faces controversy over the budget, land purchases and year-round schooling.

Anne McLaurin, Meeker's wife, is running unopposed for the open District 3 seat being vacated by Carol Parker.

Incumbents Rosa Gill and Ron Margiotta, from Districts 4 and 8, are also unopposed.

Primary elections will be held on October 9, followed by final ballots on November 6.