Posted on Wed, May. 07, 2008

Lawyer Nick Mackey, whose failed bid for Mecklenburg County sheriff touched off a nasty political debate, appeared Tuesday to have won in his second attempt for public office.

With 76 percent of precincts reporting in the race for N.C. House District 99, Mackey led six-term incumbent Rep. Drew Saunders with 53 percent of the vote to Saunders' 47 percent.

Mackey, reached by phone, said he wasn't willing yet to assume he won. "There are still some precincts out," he said. Saunders couldn't be reached for comment.

If he wins, Mackey will face Republican Dempsey Miller in the November general election. District 99 is heavily Democratic.

In another heated legislative race, former N.C. Sen. Bob Rucho appeared to have bested Charlotte City Councilman Andy Dulin for N.C. Senate District 39.

Saunders, Mackey race one of most intriguing

The race between Saunders, a 12-year veteran of the N.C. House, and Mackey, a former police officer seeking his first public office, was one of the more intriguing of the season.Mackey, 41, is only months removed from his tumultuous run for sheriff, a seat he appeared to win in December but lost when the state Democratic Party overturned a party election.

But the runup to that decision unearthed some unsavory aspects of Mackey's background, including a bankruptcy; his resignation from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in 2003 while under investigation for allegedly falsifying the hours he worked; and a December contempt of court conviction.

In March, the landlord of Mackey's law offices sued him, claiming he owes at least $56,592 in back rent.

But Saunders, 69, has had his own money-related troubles: Last year, the Observer analyzed the campaign finances of Mecklenburg legislators and found 23 contributions to Saunders, totaling $15,250, that he didn't account for in his state filings.

Rucho leads with 52% of vote in Senate race

In N.C. Senate District 39, Dulin, 48, a real estate broker, battled Rucho, 59, a specialty dentist who previously served four terms in the Senate. With 98 percent of precincts reporting, Rucho led with 52 percent of the vote to Dulin's 48 percent.

The winner of the GOP primary is guaranteed a win in November unless there's a write-in candidate, because no Democrat filed.

Incumbent Cotham easily defeats Scher

In House District 100, incumbent Rep. Tricia Cotham easily defeated former county commissioner Lloyd Scher, winning 79 percent of the vote to Scher's 21 percent with all precincts reporting.In March 2007, Democratic Party officials in District 100 elected Cotham to fill the unexpired term of former Democratic House Speaker Jim Black, who resigned amid corruption charges.

Cotham became the youngest member of the General Assembly. She is on leave as assistant principal at East Mecklenburg High School.

Gulley wins 49% of vote, retains his seat

Five-term incumbent N.C. Rep. Jim Gulley kept his seat as the state representative for District 103.

With all precincts reporting, Gulley, of Matthews, had won 49 percent of the vote over fellow Republicans and Mint Hill residents Edith "Edy" Brotherton and Larry Hale. Since no Democrats have filed for the office, the primary decides the winner. Gulley, 68, has represented the district since 1996.

Alexander leads in District 107 race

With 85 percent of precincts reporting, Kelly Alexander led Mary Nixon Richardson with 63 percent of the vote to Richardson's 37 percent in the Democratic primary.