WINTON – This fall’s General Election will feature a crowded field of candidates for the Hertford County Board of Education.

On the heels of a four-week filing period, which ended this past Friday, nine candidates are seeking the three seats open this year on the county’s School Board.

Two of nine are incumbents – Shelia Porter of Murfreesboro and Dennis M. Deloatch of Ahoskie. A third incumbent, Dr. Joanne Jones, chose not to file for reelection.

Among the first to file were political newcomers Ray Faircloth Jr. of the Millennium area and Mitch Kelly of Murfreesboro. Both filed on July 12.

Kim Saunders of Ahoskie filed on July 16.

Margo Reynolds Howard of Ahoskie made her intentions known on July 25 to seek one of the school board seats. James W. Shearn of Murfreesboro filed Aug. 2 while F. Garry Lewter and Sonya Thomas Ashe, both of Ahoskie, waited until the final day (Friday, Aug. 3) of the filing period.

With the exception of Lewter, all are political newcomers. Lewter served two years on the Hertford County Board of Commissioners, appointed to fill the unexpired term of Howard Hunter III after the latter stepped down to successfully seek the 5^th District seat in the North Carolina House of Representatives.

All of the school board seats are non-partisan.

In other filing news, also finalized on the November General Election ballot are two unaffiliated candidates.

Brien Lassiter of Ahoskie is seeking the office of Hertford County Sheriff. He is challenged by incumbent Sheriff Dexter Hayes, a Democrat who resides in the St. John community.

Scott W. Outlaw of Ahoskie is the other unaffiliated candidate. He is seeking the District 2 seat on the Hertford County Board of Commissioners. Also seeking that seat are Andre M. Lassiter, a Democrat, and Donald Kirkland, a Republican, both of Ahoskie.

The General Election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 6.