Seven people filed for six seats at the Scotland County Board of Elections on Monday, the first official day for filing.

An eighth person certified his filing for office at the local board.

Clerk of Court

The first one to file for office was Clerk of Superior Court W. Philip McRae. The Laurinburg Democrat waited patiently for the clock to turn noon before filling for reelection and paying the $824 filing fee.

"I'd like to provide prompt, courteous and competent public service to the people of Scotland County by utilizing 26 years of experience as a practicing attorney plus a lifetime of experience gained by living here," McRae said.

McRae was appointed to fill the position of Clerk of Court in 2007, until an election could be held determining who would finish out Whit Gibson's term. McRae won the special election and is running for his first full term in office.

McRae resides at 17601 Aberdeen Road with wife Gail. They have three children – Phil, Pat and Kate – and four grandchildren.

Sheriff

The Scotland County Sheriff's race is looking an awful lot like 2006, with Sheriff Shep Jones and Mike Webb renewing their prior rivalry by running against each other in the Democratic primary.

The incumbent wants to continue the platform he ran on four years ago, seeking to establish the agency as a 21st century sheriff's office. Jones said that includes several initiatives, such as the School Resource Officers Program, aggressive pursuit of local drug dealers and additional advanced training.

He also promises to keep the office involved in community events and promote professionalism and integrity in the department.

Jones, who has spent 23 years in law enforcement, resides at 407 McDougald Ave. in Laurinburg with his wife, Sonya. They have a daughter named Deondra.

He is currently serving as the N.C. Sheriffs' Association's representative to the state sentencing commission.

Webb is running on a platform of improving response time, increasing deputy visibility, promoting professionalism, improving relationships with surrounding agencies, improving department morale and enforcing financial responsibility and accountability.

"I believe I possess the leadership and communication skills that will unite all of our allies so that every citizen can receive the most effective service possible," Webb said. "Together, we can make a difference for all of our citizens.

Webb is a 30-year veteran of law enforcement, having spent 27 years working for the North Carolina Highway patrol. He lives at 13381 Wesleyan Drive, Laurinburg, with wife Sheila Webb. They have two sons, Brent and Trey.

State senate

Democrat Sen. Bill Purcell filed to run for reelection to his 25th N.C. Senatorial District seat.

"My main focus will be to try and bring jobs to Scotland County and the district," Purcell said. "I will continue to support public schools, community colleges and our university system so that we will have a well-trained workforce. I will continue efforts supporting healthier lifestyles and trying to make sure that all citizens have access to quality healthcare."

Purcell serves as co-chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, co-chair of the Senate Health Committee and as a member of the Commerce Committee, the Finance Committee, the Education/Higher Education Committee and numerous other committees and commissions.

Purcell, a native of Laurinburg, practiced pediatrics for 36 years, served on the Laurinburg City Council for six years and as Mayor of Laurinburg for 10 years before being appointed to the N.C. Senate in 1997. He has been re-elected six times.

The state senator resides at 1301 Dunbar Drive, Laurinburg with his wife, Kathleen. The couple have four children and eight grandchildren.

Senate district 25 includes Scotland, Richmond, Anson and Stanly counties.

State representatives

Scotland County is represented represented by two seats in the N.C. House of Representatives.

Both representatives files for reelection.

Rep. Doug Yongue, a Laurinburg Democrat, filed to run for his ninth term as the state representative from District 46.

"Promoting job opportunities muse be our top priority if we are to turn our economy around," Yongue said. "Improving educational opportunities for our citizens to become job ready is equally important. Improving healthcare services that include addressing our growing overweight and obesity epidemic are need to help bring rising cost under control."

Yongue is a chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for developing the state's annual budget. He is also a vice chairman of the Ethics Committee and a member of the Education Committee, Federal Relations and India Affairs Committee, Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House committee, State Government and State Personnel committee and the subcommittee on colleges and universities. He is also a co-chair of the Legislative Task Force on Childhood Obesity.

Yongue is a retired educator who resides at 604 Prince Street in Laurinburg with his wife, Mildred. They have two children: Douglas Y. Yongue, Jr., a pharmacist; and Dr. Beth Yongue, a veterinarian.

House District 46 includes portions of Scotland, Robeson and Hoke counties.

Rep. Garland Pierce, a Wagram Democrat, has filed to run for a fourth term to his 48th N.C. House District seat.

Pierce is running on a platform of economic development, increasing healthcare availability, reducing and preventing crime and working for equal access to educational opportunities.

"I firmly believe that withy all of us working together, we can insure that the 48th district will be a model of unity, progress and growth for the state of North Carolina," Pierce said.

Pierce is the chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural and Economic Resources, as well as the Vice-Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Aging Committee and Federal Relations and Indian Affairs Committee.

Pierce, a minister at Bright Hopewell Baptist Church, is married to his wife, Barbara. They have two children and on grandchild.

House district 48 includes portions of Scotland, Hoke and Robeson Counties.

School Board

Mary Evans, vice chairman of the Scotland County Board of Education, has filed to run for her Stewartsville district seat.

Evans said she wants to provide "fair and equal education for all children and fair and equal treatment for all staff and personnel."

She also wants to "move the educational system into a global economy" by training students to enter the workforce or go to college.

Evans lives in Laurinburg. She has one son, William Evans, III, and three grandchildren.

District Court Judge

Judge William C. McIlwain, III began the process of filing for reelection on Monday.

District court judges are technically employees of the state and must file with the North Carolina State Board of Elections in Raleigh.

The process begins by a judge certifying their filing with the local board of elections to prove they are registered to vote in the district in which they hope to serve. He must now send his filing to Raleigh.

"I have enjoyed serving the people of Scotland and Hoke counties for almost 21 years," McIlwain said. "During that time, I believe I have developed a good feel for the needs of our citizens involved with the courts, and a great appreciation for all the dedicated employees of the judicial system. God willing, I look forward to continuing my service to the people of our district."

McIlwain was first appointed district court judge by Gov. James Martin on July 1, 1989. He has since served five full terms as judge and is currently the chief district court judge for district 16A, which serves Scotland and Hoke counties.

The judge lives at 15860 Hummingbird Lane in Wagram with his wife of 32 years, Sherry Johnston McIlwain. They have a son, Will, and a daughter, Syd.

State filings

A number of people also showed up in Raleigh on Monday to file for a number of seats. U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell, a Democrat from Biscoe, filed to run for his 8th District House seat, which represents a swath of North Carolina from Fayetteville to Charlotte, including Scotland County, according to media reports. Court of Appeals Judge Bob Hunter of Marion also filed to run for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court.