A challenger candidate for the China Grove town council race withdrew Thursday, citing a conflict of interest.
Doug Lewis, of China Grove, said he pulled out after he learned he could not be on the board and serve as an employee of the town’s fire department.
“I’m an employee of the town. And there in the policy of the manual it says you can’t be an employee and run for public office,” Lewis said. “I would prefer to keep my job rather than run for town council.”
In other filing news, Timothy Justin Crews, of Rockwell, filed for re-election for Rockwell alderman.
Dorland Abernathy, a challenger from Landis, filed for the Landis aldermen board.
Twenty candidates have filed for seats across the county. Candidates are vying for 42 seats up for election this year. Filing continues through noon on July 19.