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Hege bid may complicate matters for GOP
8 months ago | 653 views | 1 
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Gerald Hege hands political sign to Jerry Moore at his election headquarters in Thomasville. Sonny Hedgecock | HPE
The former three-term sheriff announced Thursday he will run, seeking the post he relinquished five years ago when he pleaded guilty to two felony counts of obstruction of justice.
The Republican sheriff’s primary will include incumbent David Grice, who took over the sheriff’s office after Hege resigned and kept the seat during the general election in 2006.
If Hege wins the primary and becomes the party nominee for the November 2010 general election, it could create a backlash locally, said Matthew DeSantis, assistant professor of political science at High Point University.
“It will discourage people who oppose Hege from straight-ticket Republican balloting in the general election. People will say, ‘I’m not going to vote for all Republicans because I don’t want to vote for this guy Hege.’ It could open them up to change their vote on other issues,” DeSantis said.
State Sen. Stan Bingham, R-Davidson, said he believes the Davidson County Republican Party will seek to remain neutral in the sheriff’s primary. Bingham acknowledges that Hege’s bid complicates politics among Republicans.
“A lot of the Hege faction is Hege only and have been very little involved in anything Republican since he was taken out of office,” Bingham said.
A spokesman for the North Carolina Republican Party in Raleigh said state party officials declined to comment at this time. The High Point Republican Party doesn’t plan to get involved in the Davidson County sheriff’s primary, said High Point Chairman Don Webb.
There are 2,735 registered voters in the High Point portion of northeastern Davidson County, according to figures from the county board of elections.
Historically, the High Point Republican Party hasn’t gotten involved in internal Davidson County Republican matters, Webb said.
pjohnson@hpe.com | 888-3528
The High Point Enterprise, 210 Church Avenue,
High Point, NC 27262 • 336-888-3500
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PUBLIC NOTICE: GERALD HEGE IS SET TO RETURN IN THE ELECTION YEAR OF 2010
As i look at the county now i see frequent road- blocks ( but no where close as Hege had ). I see drug busts ( but no where as many as Hege produced ) .I see doors getting kicked in (but most are home invasions in varius countys). When Hege was Sheriff it was usually him kicking in the door to round up the bad guys. I miss the good ole days.
Hege is set to return to run for office of sheriff in the 2010 elections. Primary round may, Election round nov.
Even tho he had his share of problems but we see problems in everything and everyone just look. He still did a great job and if returned to office he will exceed that term. If something dont turn out the way we want it we yell foul. Whooptedo !
As sheriff he will be there for you all. So in may vote with dignity, vote for the man, vote for a man how will be there for you late at nite and early in the mourn not just 9 to 5. Vote for a man who went on the record books for you the citizen of Davidson county.The county is fixing to only get better , and cleaner.
He will have my vote and if most of you think about it Yours also,Dang i slept pretty good back when Hege was out n about !!
Randy G.
Thomasville