TRIAD – The expectation that 2010 might not be a good year for incumbents is reflected in the filing by challengers for area state legislative races, as more campaigns will be contested this year than in the recent past.

Two years ago, 10 of the 16 legislative races covering Davidson, Guilford and Randolph counties featured a single candidate on the ballot for the general election. Four years ago, nine of the 16 state legislative races were uncontested.

But this year, for the May 4 primaries and Nov. 2 general election, only four area state legislative races are uncontested. The filing period for this year’s congressional, state and county elections concluded Friday.

No Democrats in the area’s state legislative delegation are unopposed this year.

For example, Rep. Hugh Holliman, D-Davison, will face one of two Republican challengers in the general election. Rayne Brown of Lexington, who narrowly lost to Holliman two years ago, and Davidson County Commissioner Fred McClure will face off in the 81st State House District Republican primary.

Rep. Earl Jones, D-Guilford, faces Democratic primary challenger Marcus Brandon Jr. of Greensboro in the 60th State House District, with the primary winner taking on Republican challenger Lonnie Wilson of High Point in the general election.

Several Republican state legislators face GOP primary challenges. State Rep. Jerry Dockham, R-Davidson, who was unopposed in several election cycles last decade, faces Republican challenger Dick Johnson of Denton in the 80th State House District.

Rep. Pat Hurley, R-Randolph, faces Republican candidate Fred Burgess of Climax in the 70th State House District. Rep. Harold Brubaker, R-Randolph, undergoes a primary contest with Republican Arnold Lanier of Denton in the 78th State House District.

The filing by challengers reflects the uneasy mood of the electorate with politicians in office from both major parties, said Matthew DeSantis, assistant professor of political science at High Point University.

“Right now there’s a clear volatility in the political climate. Both sides can sense that incumbents, despite their party background, are potentially vulnerable,” DeSantis said.

Many challengers believe that 2010 will be the year when newcomers “can get their foot in the door in this election,” DeSantis said.

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No contest

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Area state legislative candidates who face no opposition as of the conclusion of the filing period Friday:

• Sen. Jerry Tillman, R-Randolph and Senate minority whip

• Sen. Phil Berger, R-Rockingham and Senate minority leader

• Sen. Stan Bingham, R-Davidson

• Rep. Larry Brown, R-Forsyth