An intern for an eastern North Carolina state legislator announced Attorney General Roy Cooper’s campaign for governor in a tweet on Friday.

In the tweet, Wes Tripp — intern for Rep. Michael Wray, R-27 — stated he had accepted a position on Cooper’s campaign. The tweet read “I have accepted a finance intern position with Cooper for North Carolina, a campaign to take back North Carolina led by @RoyCooperNC #NCPOL.”

The North Carolina Republican Party publicized the tweet in an emailed statement.

“Roy Cooper has yet to formally announce his campaign, despite already launching paid political attack ads against Governor McCrory for weeks,” the statement said. “The tweet was quickly deleted or hidden after people began to take notice.”

In the statement, the state Republican Party’s Executive Director Todd Poole criticized Cooper for running a “shadow campaign.”

“Roy Cooper has been running a shadow campaign for governor, but has been given a free pass by the media thus far,” Poole said. “North Carolinians deserve to know where Roy Cooper, who has served in state government in Raleigh since 1986, stands on the issues.”

McInnis appointed to River Basin Authority

State Sen. Tom McInnis, a Republican who represents a portion of Rowan County, was appointed to serve on the Yadkin/Pee Dee River Basin Advisory Commission by President Pro Tem of the Senate Phil Berger.

The commission is made up of 15 members appointed to provide guidance and recommendations about the Yadkin/Pee Dee River Basin, according to a news release. His term is effective immediately, the release stated.

“I am honored to have been selected by Sen. Berger to sit on this important advisory committee,” said McInnis. “The Yadkin/Pee Dee River provides a great economic benefit to the North Carolina Piedmont and impacts every county in my district except Scotland. I am very interested in keeping the river basin clean and usable for all of our citizens.”

Berger also commented on the appointment by praising McInnis’ experience.

“Sen. McInnis is a committed public servant, and this commission will benefit from his knowledge and expertise,” said Berger. “I thank him for his willingness to serve the people of North Carolina in this new capacity.”

5th Congressional District race gets first announced candidate

A Kernersville resident this week announced her intent to run for the North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District.

Republican Pattie Curran announced in an emailed news release that she would run for the seat, which is currently held by Virginia Foxx, also a Republican. Curran would have to first beat Foxx in the primary election before moving on to compete against a Democrat in November 2016.

Curran enlisted in the Army National Guard after high school. She received her commission just prior to her college graduation. She received her bachelor of science in psychology from Louisiana State University in 1991.

In the news release, Curran said she is a Christian, a wife, homeschooling mom and a former social worker.

Curan co-founded a nonprofit organization called Shwachman-Diamond America, which focuses on research and education for Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome, which can cause bone marrow dysfunction, skeletal abnormalities and short stature.

Hudson announces congressional art competition

U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, a Republican whose district includes Rowan County, announced this week that he is accepting entries from all 8th District high school students for the 2015 Congressional Art Competition.

The art competition occurs each spring and began in 1982, Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.

“Every year, I am truly amazed at the level of creativity and the talent of our young artists,” Hudson said. “I have no doubt this year’s artists will continue to make our community proud to showcase our district’s talents in the U.S. Capitol for visitors from around the country and the world to admire.”

The 8th District winner will be selected by an Arts Advisory Committee made up of artists from the district and announced at a reception hosted by Hudson.

Winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. All entries must be an original in concept, design and execution and may not be larger than 28 inches by 28 inches by 4 inches, including the frame.

Interested students should submit entries to Hudson’s district office in Concord or Rockingham by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 24.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.