Replacement Scramble on as Legislative Hopefuls Drop Out

Local North Carolina party activists are scrambling for replacement candidates now that several General Assembly hopefuls are dropping out of races.

The Insider state government news service reported Wednesday that 10 challengers of incumbent House or Senate members are pulling out of their races or have already withdrawn. Local party leaders have until next week to choose replacement candidates whose names would appear on ballots. The previous candidate’s name remains even if a successor candidate is chosen later.

Dropouts include seven Democrats, two Republicans and one Libertarian in a year when both major parties are fielding candidates for nearly every one of the 170 legislative seats.

Incumbents who now may face replacement candidates include Republican Sen. Deanna Ballard of Watauga County and Rep. Dennis Riddell of Alamance County.