Anson County and all of the ninth congressional district heads back to the polls Tuesday for a special election.

To be decided is the Republican primary for a U.S. House seat formerly occupied by Rep. Robert Pittenger. The seat appeared to be won by the Rev. Mark Harris, a Republican, in November but the state Board of Elections refused to certify the race. On the night of the election, Harris finished 905 votes ahead of Democrat Dan McCready.

In fact, McCready offered a concession only to retract it when allegations of fraud surfaced. Three months later at an evidentiary hearing centered on absentee ballots in Bladen and Robeson counties, the former preacher of a large Baptist church in Charlotte was on the stand in the fourth day telling state board members he too believed a new election was needed.

Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

If a second primary is needed, it will be held Sept. 10 and the general election would follow on Nov. 5.

If no second primary is needed, the general election is Sept. 10.

There is only one candidate in the race representing the Democratic Party, the Green Party and the Libertarian Party; all will be in the general election.

The Republicans in Tuesday’s primary are Stevie Rivenbark Hull of Fayetteville, Matthew Ridenhour of Charlotte, Stony Rushing of Wingate, Fern Shubert of Marshville, Dr. Albert Lee Wiley of Atlantic Beach, Chris Anglin of Raleigh, state Sen. Dan Bishop of Charlotte, Leigh Thomas Brown of Harrisburg, Kathie C. Day of Cornelius and Gary Dunn of Matthews. Harris cited health issues in deciding not to run.

Candidates do not have to live in the district they represent. The 9th District stretches from an eastern portion of Mecklenburg County to a southern portion of Cumberland County and northern portion of Bladen County, with all of Union, Anson, Richmond, Scotland and Robeson counties included.

In the general election along with McCready are Allen Smith of Charlotte and the Green Party, and Jeff Scott of Charlotte and the Libertarian Party.

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Alan Wooten

The Anson Record