We're encouraged to see so much interest in local government on the part of would-be candidates. Dissatisfaction with the economy and government – Democrats and Republicans alike -- is driving candidate interest throughout the country.
One of the more interesting races shaping up, though, can't be traced to economics or party politics. It's the race for Iredell County sheriff. At least three challengers have decided that long-time sheriff Phil Redmond has held the job long enough.
One of them, Mooresville Police Department Capt. Phil Blocker, wants to bridge what he sees as a chasm between law enforcement agencies in Iredell. Those agencies – the sheriff's office and municipal police departments in Mooresville, Statesville and Troutman – need to work more harmoniously, Blocker believes.
This year, the candidate field for sheriff contains two Republicans and two Democrats – with the filing deadline nearing on Friday at noon -- setting the stage for a spirited campaign. It's been many years – we can't remember when, frankly – since a Mooresville resident ran for sheriff or that anybody seriously challenged Redmond.
With the extremely large voting base in the south end of the county, though, this election year could prove interesting indeed.
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