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Five signed up to run for Macon commission

maconFive candidates are running for two commissioner seats in Macon County and there are still five days left to sign up for the race.

Current Commission Chairman Kevin Corbin’s District 2 seat will be up for grabs since he’s decided to run on the Republican ticket for the North Carolina House of Representatives. 

Commissioner Paul Higdon said he plans to run for a second term as the District 3 commissioner but hasn’t signed up yet. Higdon, a Republican, already has competition from fellow Republican Greg Boyer and Democrat Bobby Kuppers. 

Republicans Karl Gillespie and Ron Haven and Democrat Charlie Leatherman have all signed up to run for Corbin’s open seat.  

All five candidates signed up are familiar faces in Macon County. 

Greg Boyer is a Franklin lawyer who ran for District Court Judge in 2010.  

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Bobby Kuppers is a Franklin High School teacher and football coach who served as the District 3 commissioner for one term before being ousted by Higdon during the 2012 election.

Karl E. Gillespie, president of National Communications Inc., serves on the Macon County Planning Board and the Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees, but this is the first time seeking public office. 

Ron Haven, a conservative Republican, has also served as a Macon County Commissioner in the past but was defeated during the last election by moderate Republican Gary Shields. Haven owns several motels and rental properties in Macon County. 

Charlie Leatherman has also served as a commissioner before. While he was on the Republican ticket last time he ran for election in 2010, he has signed up to run as a Democrat this time around. He also is a former Macon County Schools educator and served on the SCC Board of Trustees.

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