The state board, which was recently appointed and hasn’t had a chance to complete board training yet, will meet at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 3, to conduct hearings on two appeals of candidate challenge decisions, including Cochran’s case. 

The challenge against Cochran was filed by Swain County resident Jerry Lowery, who claims the incumbent sheriff was dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps and is therefore guilty of a felony. If he was in fact dishonorably discharged, Lowery claims Cochran would be stripped of his right to carry a firearm and therefore doesn’t qualify to run for sheriff. 

In a candidate challenge, the candidate in question has the burden of proof to show he or she is in fact eligible to run for office. Cochran claims he was not issued a DD-214 — a military release form that would show whether he was dishonorably discharged.