Ten incumbent state legislators from the Charlotte area were among the first to file Monday as candidates began signing up for the 2018 election. Other races on the ballot this year include Congress, district attorney, county commission and other county positions.
The Mecklenburg County Board of Elections was packed with candidates and their supporters before the start of filing at noon Monday. County Board of Elections Director Michael Dickerson called it a good turnout for the first day.
“A lot of incumbents have already come in and have addressed that they’re going to run again. So we have a good group and a lot of folks ready to give themselves up and get ready for this,” Dickerson said.
Those incumbents included Democratic state senators Jeff Jackson, Joel Ford and Joyce Waddell of Charlotte. Ford will face a primary challenge from fellow Democrat Roderick Davis. Republican Bobbie Shields also is seeking Waddell's seat.
State House members filing for re-election Monday included Democrats Mary Belk, Rodney Moore, Becky Carney, John Autry, Kelly Alexander and Chaz Beasley, and Republican Andy Dulin.
In the race for sheriff, Irwin Carmichael is seeking re-election and is expected to face challengers including former CMPD detective Garry McFadden, who filed papers Monday.
Mecklenburg County Commission chair and Democrat Ella Scarborough filed for re-election, as did incumbent Democrat Vilma Leake (District 2) and incumbent Republican Bill James (District 6). Meanwhile, Democratic newcomer Leigh Altman has filed for the District 4 county commission seat currently held by Democrat Dumont Clarke, who is stepping down.
In the U.S. House of Representatives, incumbent Democrat Alma Adams filed. She's seeking a third term in the 12th district, which includes much of Mecklenburg County, including Charlotte.
And Democrat Dan McCready registered to challenge incumbent Republican Robert Pittenger in the 8th District. The district runs from Charlotte southeast and east.
Candidate filing runs through Feb. 28 at noon. Party primaries are scheduled May 8.
A total of 1,140 candidates filed on the first day across North Carolina.
S.C. GOVERNOR RACE EXPANDS
S.C. In South Carolina, a businessman and U.S. Marine Corps captain is the latest candidate to join this year's governor's race. In a campaign video officially launching his campaign this week, John Warren of Greenville says that he's "disgusted" by government corruption and as governor will require competitive bidding on all state contracts.
Warren served in the Marines for four years and founded Lima One Capital, a national lender for real estate investors. He joins Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant, former Lt. Gov. Yancey McGill, Gov. Henry McMaster and former state labor chief Catherine Templeton in the GOP primary.
The Democratic candidates include Columbia Representative James Smith, Charleston businessman Phil Nobel and Florence attorney Marguerite Willis.
South Carolina Party primaries are scheduled June 12.
Michael Falero and the Associated Press contributed to this article.
