(The Center Square) – Dave Boliek, runner-up in the North Carolina auditor Republican primary, has formally filed a request for a runoff.
Jack Clark received the most votes in last Tuesday’s Primary Election Day in the six-candidate field. Since Clark didn’t get 30% plus one vote in the primary, he could be challenged by second-place finisher Boliek in a runoff.
State law requires that to happen in writing. The second primary is scheduled for May 14.
The other Council of State race where a second primary was possible is for lieutenant governor. Republican Jim O’Neill, runner-up to Hal Weatherman a week ago, filed his paperwork on Thursday afternoon.
The 6th Congressional District in the Triad and the 13th Congressional District just south of the Triangle are each expected to need the extra trip to the ballot box for Republican primaries. BlueCross BlueShield lobbyist Addison McDowell finished first ahead of former Congressman Mark Walker in the 6th. In the 13th, Kelly Daughtry was in front of Brad Knott after Tuesday’s votes.
County canvasses take place Friday, and if a candidate not thought to be eligible is then eligible, a 48-hour window opens for filing the runoff request.
Clark’s plurality on Tuesday was 23.2%-22.1%. They were followed by Charles Dingee (18.6%), Jeff Tarte (15%), Tony Street (11.2%) and Jim Kee (9.9%). Democrat Jessica Holmes, appointed in December upon the exit of Beth Wood, and Libertarian Bob Drach did not have primaries and await in November.
Weatherman led O’Neill 19.6%-15.9% on Super Tuesday. They were followed by Deanna Ballard (15%), Seth Woodall (11%), Sam Page (10.2%), Allen Mashburn (9%), Jeffrey Elmore (8.6%), Peter Boykin (3.5%), Rivera Douthit (2.5%), Ernest Reeves (2.5%) and Marlenis Hernandez Novoa (2.3%). Rachel Hunt, daughter of former two-time four-term Gov. Jim Hunt, won the primary for Democrats.
