Mar 23 2008
House District 110 Candidacy Challenged
Two Bessemer City women have challenged the candidacy of an area Republican who is running for N.C. House.Kelly E. Hastings has filed for election in House District 110. His registered address is 405 Jane St., Cherryville, according to elections records.
Beatrice Crocker of Bessemer City filed a challenge to Hastings’ candidacy last Thursday. Fellow resident Lynda Ellington did the same on Friday. Both are registered Democrats.
“They’re claiming he does not meet the statutory or constitutional requirements to be a candidate in House District 110,” said Gaston County elections director Frances Pinion.
Contacted by telephone Wednesday, Hastings said he has not yet been formally notified of the challenge, and does not recognize Crocker or Ellington by name.
I imagine this is a residency challenge. They don’t go into detail as to why, but simply note that there will be a hearing scheduled on April 7th to determine if Hasting’s candidacy is legitimate.
Hastings has a primary opponent, Pearl Burris-Floyd, so regardless of what happens there will be a Republican on the ballot in November and I imagine they will hold the seat. The real race to keep an eye on in this area is for the Senate seat. The current State Representative for House District 110, Debbie Cleary, is running for 46th Senate District seat that covers Gaston and Cleveland Counties. It is being vacated by Democrat Walter Dalton who is running for Lieutenant Governor. This seat is a Republican leaning seat so there is a good chance that the GOP could pick this one up in November. This will be one to watch.
