MONROE, N.C. — The Union County Board of Commissioners ran out of time to appoint a commissioner to the absent seat of the late Commissioner Stony Rushing.
Rushing died in August and leaders had 60 days to name a replacement.
The four Republican commissioners were at odds and couldn’t agree on candidates.
Now the decision is out of their hands.
State law gives that power to decide to the clerk of Superior Court for Union County, who is Wendy Maynard.
She has until next Tuesday at 5 p.m.
So, how did it get to this point?
Six people applied to fill the vacant seat.
The Union County Republican Party interviewed the applicants, voted, and recommended the board select Clancy Baucom, of Marshville, who owns an agriculture business.
The commissioners’ vote to appoint Baucom was split, 2-2.
Commissioners Richard Helms and David Williams wanted the board to consider other candidates.
Helms and Commissioner Melissa Merrell stood by Baucom.
“I will not be offering another name except what the party recommended,” Merrell said.
Helms released a statement Wednesday: “Although this is not a burden that I wanted to be placed upon her shoulders, I have utmost respect and confidence in our Clerk of Superior Court to appoint the individual that she feels will best represent our county. For better or for worse, this appointment has the ability to shape the future of Union County for years to come.”
Channel 9 reached out to all county commissioners for a comment on this process. We will update this story when we get responses.
VIDEO: Union County Commission Chair Stony Rushing passes away, family says
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