RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The Latest on the close of the candidate filing period for the North Carolina legislature and congressional delegation (all times local):
3:33 p.m.
The filing deadline for North Carolina congressional and legislative seats passed with Democrats and Republicans making good on goals to compete in every corner of the state.
The filing period closed at noon Wednesday at the state elections board office in Raleigh and in all 100 counties. And both the state Democratic and Republican parties say they have candidates to support for every one of the 170 General Assembly seats. GOP Executive Director Dallas Woodhouse says that includes the GOP backing an unaffiliated candidate in one eastern North Carolina seat.
Primaries for these and other races are May 8. The filing period for judicial seats was delayed until June because the legislature cancelled primaries for those positions this year.
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3:20 a.m.
Candidate filing for this year’s congressional and legislative elections has attracted lots of newcomers to North Carolina politics, as well as former lawmakers seeking to return to the halls of power.
The 16-day filing period ends at midday Wednesday at the state elections board in Raleigh and in all 100 counties.
Those who don’t have party primaries May 8 will get a head start on the November general election. Unopposed candidates aren’t guaranteed a fall victory yet, since independents could collect enough signatures to get on the ballot.
High-profile incumbents like U.S. Reps. Robert Pittenger and Walter Jones Jr. already are seeing their primary races heating up.
Former state House Majority Leader Toby Fitch and ex-Sen. Bob Rucho also are running for the legislature again after time away.
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