Burke Republicans offer advice for prospective candidates

Ever thought about getting more involved in conservative politics, or maybe even running for office, but had no idea how to get started?

The Burke County Republican Party can help.

The party is hosting a conservative candidate prospect gathering Tuesday, July 8, at 6:30 p.m. at party headquarters at 146 Main St. W in Valdese.

Burke Republican Party Chairman Tim Buff said the event will help those interested in becoming more involved learn how to get started.

“A lot of people want to get involved,” Buff said. “They don’t know exactly how to get started. This is kind of an informal thing. If there’s anybody out there who has an interest and would like to get involved in politics and the possibility of even running for an elected office, we’re just going to help lay some foundation there.”

Buff said in the past, the party hasn’t put much emphasis on municipal elections, concentrating instead on national, state, and county offices.

But with numerous municipal seats up for grabs in this fall’s odd-year elections, Buff said it was a good time to get involved in those races as well. He said the party hopes to seize on the momentum of what he called a nationwide conservative movement.

“It’s just a good conservative movement of getting back to American values, of what the country was founded on, and common-sense, sensible spending,” Buff said.

“It’s our prayer that God has got people out there that are good, fiscally conservative people that are willing to stand up and run, because we can’t continue down the same path that we have been on for so many years.”

Buff said several Burke County elected officials would speak at the gathering, although he wasn’t sure of the exact lineup. Light snacks will be served. He encouraged anyone with an interest in conservative politics to attend the event.

“You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to run for elected office,” he said. “Some common sense and some accountability go a long way in serving the people.”

CANDIDATE FILING BEGINS NEXT WEEK

There will be no shortage of municipal races for prospective candidates to enter when filing opens next week.

The filing period for the Nov. 4, 2025, election begins Monday morning, July 7, at 8 a.m. and runs through noon on Friday, July 18.

Early voting runs from Oct. 16 to Nov. 1.

Five Burke County mayoral races will be contested this fall.

The seats of current mayors in Valdese (Charlie Watts), Connelly Springs (Carroll Turner), Glen Alpine (Michelle Lewis), Long View (Marla Thompson), and Rhodhiss (Allen Spencer) will be up for grabs.

Watts has announced his retirement and will not run in November.

Two seats on the Morganton City Council will also be on the ballot as terms end for incumbents Chris Hawkins (District 4) and Wendy Cato (District 3).

The Valdese Town Council seats currently held by Rexanna Lowman (Ward 3) and Glenn Harvey (Ward 1) will also be on the ballot. Harvey recently said he would not seek re-election.

Valdese’s Ward 2 seat, formerly held by Paul Mears, who resigned, will also be open. Melinda Zimmerman was appointed to that seat in January.

Terms for Connelly Springs Aldermen Steven Diehm, Bobby Tomlinson, and Adam Greene will expire as well.

In Glen Alpine, the seats currently held by Sheila Perkins and Jason Miller will be open. Alderman Jim Frady’s term is also set to expire; he resigned the post last week.

There will be two open alderman seats in Drexel as terms end for Scott Coe and Tim Franklin.

Rhodhiss Town Council will also have a pair of open spots, currently held by Mike Phillips and Joyce Karn.

Other eastern Burke municipal seats on the ballot include the Long View Town Council’s Ward 5 seat, currently held by Phyllis Pennington, and the Ward 5 seat on the Hickory City Council, held by David Zagaroli.