THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 6, 1994 TAG: 9410060469
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY MASON PETERS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
One of those political dilemmas that strain the loyalties of good Democrats is shaping up in Pasquotank County.
If County Commissioner William C. ``Bill'' Owens Jr. wins election on Nov. 8 to the N.C. General Assembly from the state's 1st House District, should retiring Sheriff Davis M. Sawyer Jr. be appointed to succeed him?
That is going to be a tough and divisive decision for local Democrats who must recommend Owens' successor if Owens goes to Raleigh.
So far, the sheriff is the only Democrat publicly discussed as a candidate to serve out the remaining two years of Owens' term.
``And I've just about decided to seek the appointment. It would be nice to continue helping the community that has been so good to me,'' Sawyer said this week.
H.C. Witherspoon, chairman of the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners, said Wednesday that he had heard of no other candidates.
The Democratic dilemma centers on the ambitions of younger Pasquotank party leaders who successfully elected Frank R. Parrish as district attorney in the May primary. Old-guard Democrats solidly supported H.P. Williams Jr., the party's veteran incumbent DA in the 1st Judicial District.
Some younger Democrats, who proudly watched the swearing-in of Parrish Monday, said privately this week that they should also have something to say about Owens' successor - if one is needed. Sawyer and Owens are deeply entrenched party regulars, straight-ticket politicians who supported Williams.
At least one meeting has been held by the Young Turks in Elizabeth City to consider other likely Democratic candidates for Owens' seat.
Sawyer has been Pasquotank County sheriff since 1970 and his re-elections by huge majorities consistently showed that Republicans as well as Democrats supported him.
But Sawyer decided in February not to seek re-election and his long law-enforcement tenure will be finished this year.
Owens' term as county commissioner will not end until after the 1996 elections and Pasquotank election regulations require that the commissioners name a successor to fill any county board vacancy.
Should Owens lose his General Assembly bid to John Schrote, a Corolla Republican who is running an increasingly strong race for the House seat, Owens would remain a county commissioner. Owens did not have to resign his county position to run for the General Assembly.
Under Pasquotank election rules, members of the executive committee of the county Democratic Party will meet to recommend a successor for Owens if one is required after the November election.
The full board of seven county commissioners will then elect a replacement board member.
The commissioners do not have to accept the Democratic Party's recommended candidate, but that is customary.
KEYWORDS: PASQUOTANK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RACE by CNB