By Ritchie Starnes,
News Editor
On Monday a fourth Republican candidate filed for the office of sheriff.
Rick Burris, a former two-term Stanly County sheriff, marked Monday’s lone filer for elected office. He joins GOP candidates Jeff Crisco, Jonathan Barbee and incumbent George T. Burris as those seeking the office of sheriff.
Rick Burris lost to George T. Burris in 2014 by only 259 votes. At that time, Rick Burris was the incumbent after having served as sheriff from 2006-2014.
Also at that time, Rick Burris was the last elected Democrat in the county, since the school board was non-partisan then.
However, shortly after losing in the 2014 General Election, Rick Burris changed his political party affiliation to Republican.
The GOP candidates for sheriff will be reduced to one after the May 8 primary.
In 2014, there were four Republican candidates for sheriff in the primary, with George T. Burris emerging victoriously before then facing Rick Burris.
For a complete list of all candidates that have filed for elected office, see Thursday’s edition of The Stanly News & Press.
Contact Ritchie Starnes at (704) 982-2121 ext. 20 or email ritchie@stanlynewspress.com.