On the first day of the election season, four candidates filed for Richmond County Sheriff.

In addition two challengers tossed their hats in the ring for the county commission and one person filed for the local seat on the North Carolina House of Representatives.

Richmond County Board of Elections Director Connie Kelly said contested local races should mean high voter turnout throughout the election season.

“Usually, if there is a challenger in the sheriff’s race, the turnout will be high in the primary and the general election in November,” Kelly said Monday. “This year’s primary, because Sheriff Furr announced he would retire, will probably have a big turnout.”

The primary election will be held on May 4, with the general election on Nov. 2.

Those who filed for sheriff are all Democrats, including former Rockingham Police Chief Eddie Martin and three officers of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office in Maj. James Clemmons, Capt. Bo Frye and Capt. Wendall Sessoms.

Two challengers for the Richmond County Board of Commissioners — Democrats Jimmy Capps and Don Bryant — also threw their hats into the ring Monday.

The seats of Richmond County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman Thad Ussery, Commissioner Jimmy Maske, Commissioner Paul Wilson and Commissioner Pam Dillman are up for grabs in the election.

Richmond County Clerk of Court Kathy Gainey also filed for re-election Monday. She was elected in 2006 and has worked in the clerk’s office since 1974. Three incumbents from the Richmond County Board of Education also filed to run in the non-partisan race Monday.

School Board Vice Chairman Tom McInnis and members Ed Ormsby and Pam Easterling filed to keep their current offices.

The seat currently held by School Board member Cathy Wilson is also up in the November election.

No challenger has yet to sign up.

In filing for North Carolina’s 66th House District, School Board Chairman and Rockingham businessman Kenneth Goodman filed and issued a press release. He promised to “work tirelessly for economic development in our region,” “strongly support quality education” and “fight for lower taxes.”

He is seeking the seat occupied by N.C. Rep. Melanie Wade-Goodwin. She announced she wouldn’t seek reelection last year. The office represents Richmond and Montgomery counties in Raleigh.

Along with the state’s 66th House District, the seat in the State Senate representing Richmond County is also up for grabs.

Incumbent Sen. Bill Purcell (D) has already announced he will seek reelection, while Stanly County resident and Republican Jason Phibbs has publicly announced he will oppose him.

National elections Richmond County residents will have a say in this year include the race for North Carolina’s 8th U.S. House of Representatives seat, currently held by Rep. Larry Kissell (D), and a seat in the U.S. Senate currently held by Sen. Richard Burr (R).

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.