SALISBURY — Newly drawn legislative districts attracted only a handful of candidates in the Rowan area who want to serve in the N.C. General Assembly.
The seat Rep. Fred Steen now holds for the 76th district of the state House is being sought by two Republicans — Carl Ford of China Grove, currently a county commissioner, and Dr. Eric Troyer of China Grove, a physician. The winner will face Democrat John Williams of Salisbury.
Rep. Harry Warren, a Republican serving his first term representing the 77th district, has one Democratic challenger: Bill Batterman of Salisbury.
Sen. Andrew Brock of Mocksville, a Republican who has been in the General Assembly for 10 years, has no opposition. The 34th district he represents used to include all of Rowan County. Redistricting took out seven southern precincts.
Those precincts went into state Senate District 25, which stretches all the way to Rockingham. This district will see Democrat and Republican primaries. Democratic candidates are Gene McLaurin of Rockingham and Daniel Wilson of Wadesboro. Republican candidates are Gene McIntyre of New London and Jack T. Benoy of Albemarle.
Sen. William Purcell, a Democrat from Laurinburg who has represented the 25th district for more than 14 years, did not file for re-election.