Candidates for sheriff, district attorney, clerk of court, and judge faced a wide range of questions ahead of the March 3 primary election.
By Annie Dance | Lake Lure News | Cops & Congress | News & Commentary
You may also read a transcript in the player above or on my DocumentCloud.
RUTHERFORDTON, N.C. — Voters got a two-hour look at nearly every contested local race on Jan. 14 as candidates for sheriff, district attorney, clerk of court, and district court judge took the stage for a nonpartisan primary discussion hosted by the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce.
The forum was moderated by Cindy Cobb, the chamber’s executive director. While the event was billed as nonpartisan, Cobb consistently introduced sitting officeholders by their official titles rather than identifying them as incumbents — a distinction some attendees noted, given that the purpose of a primary election is to allow voters to decide who ultimately holds those roles.
Questions posed to candidates were often lengthy and multi-part, touching on policy, management style, public safety, ethics, and the limits of each office. Candidates repeatedly acknowledged the breadth of the questions and did their best to respond within strict time limits, enforced by a visible clock and an audible signal.
The debate opened with the three candidates for Rutherford County sheriff: incumbent Aaron Ellenburg, Jamie Dunn, and Jason Wease. They were followed by district attorney candidates incumbent Ted Bell and challenger David Norris; clerk of court candidates incumbent Steve Owens and Kandy Hoyle; and finally the district court judge race between incumbent Robert Martelle and challenger Andrew LaBreche. They were given two minutes each to answer questions, with some receiving 30-second follow-ups.
I livestreamed the event on Facebook, which has nearly 30,000 views, showing the significant interest in the candidates and the need for virtual meetings. For reference, there are 21,080 registered Republican voters and 16,992 unaffiliated voters in Rutherford County as of Jan. 17, according to the state board of elections. I am republishing it here for news and archival purposes since Facebook auto-deletes live videos after thirty days.
It was also available via WAGY’s YouTube, with 982 current views, which aired the forum with commercial breaks, but it did not fully capture the tone or reactions of the audience inside the room. They had numerous cameras set up while I filmed with my iPad. There were about 100 people in attendance in the upstairs meeting space at the Spindale House.
More candidate forums are scheduled in the coming weeks ahead of the Republican primary election on March 3, 2026.
For voters without two hours to watch the full debate, here are my top 10 takeaways:
Incumbency was visually reinforced. Sitting officeholders were introduced by title throughout the night, subtly underscoring their current authority in races specifically designed to challenge it.
Time limits shaped answers. Candidates across all races struggled to fully address the multi-layered questions within the allotted time, often prioritizing experience and philosophy over specifics.
Sheriff’s race centered on drugs and staffing. All three sheriff candidates identified narcotics — particularly fentanyl — as the county’s most pressing public safety issue, while differing on leadership style and resource deployment.
Mental health emerged as a recurring theme. Candidates repeatedly pointed to the strain mental health crises place on law enforcement, jails and courts, with limited local treatment options.
Drug court drew broad support. Across races, candidates expressed support for problem-solving courts as a way to address addiction and reduce repeat offenses. (There is no drug court in Rutherford or McDowell County currently.)
Experience vs. change framed many answers. Incumbents emphasized continuity and existing programs, while challengers focused on reform, accountability and alternative approaches.
Judicial race highlighted role limits. The district court judge debate underscored the constraints judges face in discussing pending cases, steering answers toward philosophy rather than specific rulings.
Audience reactions mattered — off camera. Applause, murmurs and visible reactions in the room added context largely absent from the broadcast versions.
Tone stayed mostly civil. Despite pointed contrasts, candidates largely avoided personal attacks, following the moderator’s firm ground rules.
Voters were urged to decide for themselves. With full, unedited remarks available online, viewers were encouraged to watch the debates directly and judge which candidates best earned their support.
With early voting approaching and additional forums planned, Rutherford County voters will have multiple chances to hear directly from candidates before casting ballots in March. I plan to report from nearly all of them, stay tuned.
Learn more about the upcoming election and deadlines on the state’s website.
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Annie Dance is the publisher of Cops & Congress, a newsletter that analyzes what happens when crime, courts, disaster, democracy, and small-town policies collide in Lake Lure, Rutherford County, WNC and beyond. Views expressed here are covered by the First Amendment.
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