KENANSVILLE — Come election time, some Duplin County incumbents will get a free ride back into office while others will face opposition, either in primary races or in the general election.

With the end of the candidate filing period Friday, Feb. 26, several of the Duplin County aspirants will not face challenges unless a petition candidate gets their name placed on the November ballot. One prospective candidate up for re-election will have to do just that.

While new to the office of District Attorney in District 4, current assistant district attorney Ernie Lee is running unopposed for the seat being vacated by Dewey Hudson, who is seeking election to the N.C. Senate in District 10.

Katie Quinn Harrell who is running for re-election as Clerk of Superior Court and Sheriff Blake Wallace are also running unopposed.

In the county commissioners’ race, District 2, only one person, Timonthy Wayne Smith, has filed for the seat currently held by Cary Turner. Turner did not file, but said by phone that he did expect to get signatures to qualify for the fall election.

“I suppose I should have gone ahead and filed since so many have asked me about it,” Turner said. “But I do expect to be on the ballot in November.”

In order to be the ballot for the general election, Turner will have to turn in a signed petition of voters from his district by June 25.

According to the Duplin Board of Elections, Turner would have to have 4 percent of the total number of those registered in Distict 2 by Jan. 1, 2010, or approximately 163 signatures.

In commissioner District 3, incumbent Harold Raynor will face David Jones in the Republican primary. The winner will face Democratic challenger Ronnie Gene Kennedy, Jr.

Three seats are up for election in the school board race. Incumbents Jennings Outlaw in district 2 and Chuck Farrior from District 4 will run unopposed for their seats, and Pamela Edwards, a newcomer, will replace Emily Manning, who did not file for re-election in District 3. Edwards has just recently retired from the Duplin County Schools.

To contact Billy Todd, call 910-592-8137 ext. 117 or e-mail sigeneral@myclintonnc.com.