(The Center Square) – Super Tuesday showdowns for North Carolina’s lieutenant governor include three candidates in the Democratic primary and 11 in the Republican.
Rachel Hunt, Mark H. Robinson and Ben Clark are the Democrats vying for the November ballot spot. Robinson, from Sampson County, is not to be confused with the gubernatorial candidate in the position now. Hunt’s war chest and name recognition as the daughter of the state’s only two-time, two-term governor is an overwhelming favorite.
Rivera Douthit, Jeffrey Elmore, Marlenis Hernandez Novoa, Allen Mashburn, Jim O’Neill, Sam Page, Ernest Reeves, Hal Weatherman, Seth Woodall, Deanna Ballard and Peter Boykin form the Republican contingent. Ballard, Elmore, O’Neill, Page, Woodall and Weatherman are considered the leaders, though a run-off on May 14 if none get at least 30% poses a distinct possibility. Woodall is the money leader.
Hunt is expected to be tough to beat not only in the primary but the general election as well. Her father, former Gov. Jim Hunt, was in office for his first term nearly 50 years ago and helped the General Assembly change the law preventing governors from having a second term. He then came back to serve eight more years.