Lance Sigmon of Newton, who is challenging Rep. Patrick McHenry of Cherryville in the 10th District GOP primary, today said he had a taped endorsement from retired Rep. Cass Ballenger.
Ballenger, a well-regarded Republican political figure, still carries weight in the 10th Congressional district in North Carolina, which includes Alexander, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln and Mitchell counties, along with parts of Gaston, Iredell and Rutherford counties.
Sigmon said he would use the endorsement in an automated campaign call to voters in the district on Monday.
Ballenger also had signed an endorsement letter for Sigmon. When McHenry of Cherryville, running for his third term, questioned the validity of that, Sigmon's campaign obtained a tape recording from Ballenger, too.
McHenry's campaign said late Sunday that it had obtained a letter from Ballenger asking that the recording not be used.
McHenry and Sigmon face off in Tuesday's primary. The winner will take on the winner of Tuesday's Democratic primary -- retired businessman Steve Ivester or attorney Daniel Johnson, both of Hickory.
