Election 2026: State election board member exits in ‘mutual’ decision

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Angela Hawkins has succeeded Bob Rucho as a Republican member of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, the office of the state auditor says.

Rucho tendered his resignation this week.

The decision, according to a spokesman in Boliek’s office, “was mutually agreed on and due to reportable candidate contributions.”

While Rucho has drawn attention for support of state Sen. Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, in a primary race likely headed for a May 12 runoff and possibly to the courtroom, the contributions were not to Berger's campaign. Still, state law prohibits any by election board members.

(State elections board continued below...)

Rucho, a former state senator from Catawba County, in December went on social media in support of Berger. The Senate president pro tempore was already deep into a costly and tension-filled primary with Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, one that on primary Election Day ended with just two votes separation among more than 26,000 cast.

Berger is seeking a 14th term. Page has been sheriff since 1998 and was fifth in the Republican lieutenant governor primary of 2024.

The race is likely to come before the state board, possibly similar to the way a state Supreme Court race in 2024 needed six months of decisions and court rulings before Democrat Allison Riggs defeated Republican Jefferson Griffin.

“I’m thankful for Bob Rucho’s service on the State Board of Elections,” said first-term Republican Auditor Dave Boliek. “He led on election integrity and helped make it easy to vote and hard to cheat in North Carolina’s elections. This office has high standards for its board members, and Angela Hawkins will continue the good work being done by the state board. She brings valuable experience, having served as chair of the elections board of North Carolina’s largest county.”

Hawkins was sworn in on Thursday.

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Alan Wooten has been a publisher, general manager and editor. His work has won national or state awards in every decade since the 1980s. He’s a proud graduate of Elon University and Farmville Central High in North Carolina.

The Shelby Independent.