North Carolina House 32 Representative Bryan Cohn announced Wednesday his candidacy in hopes of appearing on the ballot in November, and Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott re-confirmed her desire to run as well.

Both are seeking the ballot position, and others possibly, after the Democratic nominee, Curtis McRae, announced he would step away due to personal health matters.

“When Curtis made the difficult decision to step aside, I knew our community needed someone ready to step forward,” Cohn said. “While I had not planned to be a candidate this year, my commitment to the people of Granville and Vance counties has never changed,” he said in a press release.

Elliott told WIZS Thursday, for the second time, of her desire, and she said, “I submitted a letter. It’s the committee’s choice.”

Angela Thornton, the Democratic chairperson in Vance County, told WIZS Thursday the committee, composed of three Democratic Leaders from Granville County and two from Vance County, has not yet voted on the name they will send to the NC House Democratic Caucus.  Thornton said, “We are still waiting on paperwork to finalize our vote.  The committee is still meeting and following protocol to ensure all names are turned in for voting.”

On Wednesday, possibly around the same time Cohn issued his statement, the NC House Democratic Caucus issued its own statement in support of Cohn.  In part, that statement said the caucus “is proud to support Representative Bryan Cohn as the Democratic nominee for House District 32…”  The release spoke of his willingness to step forward and “ensures continuity of leadership and gives voters a candidate with the experience, relationships, and knowledge needed to be effective on day one.”

Once a name is chosen for the ballot, that name will appear in November’s election next to the Republican nominee, Frank Sossamon.

Whether the Democrat or the Republican wins, it will for a second election cycle have huge implications for the balance of power in Raleigh.

The name the local committee selects is the name that will appear on the ballot.  The local committee will tell the NC Dem House Caucus.

And, Thornton said, “An announcement from the house caucus will be made.”

Cohn told WIZS, “The official party nomination process has not happened yet.”

WIZS News has reached out to be informed of the ballot decision when it’s made and will provide and update when the information is received.

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