Republicans crowd state House race

Dec. 15—GUILFORD COUNTY — The race to succeed retiring state Rep. John Faircloth, R-Guilford, has spurred a rush of Republican challengers.

Former Oak Ridge mayor and town councilwoman Ann Schneider this week became the fifth GOP candidate to announce in the House District 62 race for the legislative seat in Guilford County.

Other Republican candidates who previously announced are High Point Councilman Britt Moore and three candidates from Greensboro — former state legislator John Blust, educator and businesswoman Michelle Bardsley and 20-year-old mechanical contractor Jaxon Barber. Democratic challenger Marjorie Benbow of Summerfield also filed.

Candidate filing for the 2024 elections concludes at noon today.

Schneider is touting her relationship with local leaders and N.C. General Assembly representatives that allowed Oak Ridge to secure $9 million in state and county funding during her four-year term as mayor. Schneider, a small business owner, said that she would defend constitutional rights, lower taxes, preserve the state's livability, champion parents' rights, promote excellence in schools and increase school choice.

The Republican candidates will square off in the March 5 primary with the winner advancing to next November's general election. Early voting for party primaries begins Feb. 15.

Faircloth, 84, who's from High Point, told The High Point Enterprise earlier this fall that he will retire from House District 62 when his current term expires at the end of this year. The district covers north High Point, western Greensboro and western and northwestern Guilford County.

pjohnson@hpenews.com — 336-888-3528 — @HPEpaul