Two commissioners eye Barnhart seat
CONCORD ó Two Cabarrus County commissioners plan to seek appointment to the N.C. House seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Jeff Barnhart, according to published reports.
Barnhart announced Tuesday he will leave the General Assembly on Sept. 30, midway through his sixth term. He will start work the next day at McGuireWoods Consulting, a lobbying firm.
Jay White, chairman of the county board, and Chris Measmer have both expressed interest in serving out Barnhartís term, which runs through the November 2012 elections. Both also say they intend to run for election next year if appointed.
The Cabarrus County Republican Partyís executive committee will select Barnhartís replacement. The party will send that name to Gov. Bev Perdue, who will formally appoint the new legislator.
White was elected to his second term on the Board of Commissioners in November. Measmer collected the most votes in winning his first term on the board. At 23 years old, he became the boardís youngest member.
Barnhart served 10 years as a Cabarrus County commissioner before running for the N.C. House.