RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – Only days after this year’s primaries, a change is taking place on the State Board of Elections.
State Auditor Dave Boliek has announced that Angela Hawkins will replace Bob Rucho on the North Carolina State Board of Elections. Bob Rucho informed Boliek of his resignation on March 5.
The resignation comes amid reports by The Assembly and other media outlets that Rucho had contributed to two sheriff’s campaigns, a violation of state law.
Hawkins is a Republican appointee who has been serving as chair of the Wake County elections board
“I’m thankful for Bob Rucho’s service on the State Board of Elections. He led on election integrity and helped make it easy to vote and hard to cheat in North Carolina’s elections.” Boliek said in a statement.
He continued: “This office has high standards for its board members, and Angela Hawkins will continue the good work being done by the State Board. She brings valuable experience, having served as chair of the elections board of North Carolina’s largest county.”
Rucho, a dentist from Mecklenburg County, served multiple terms in the State Senate, and was well versed in election laws.
Last year, the Republican-majority General Assembly voted to change the appointment power for the State Board of Elections from the Governor’s office to the State Auditor, which is currently held by Boliek, a Republican. That means that Republicans have a majority on the state board and county election boards.
The resignation comes as the State Board and local elections officials are still in the midst of processing the Tuesday elections, including the race for State Senate District 26 between Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page. The unofficial tally from Tuesday shows Page leading by two votes, with provision and military votes still outstanding.