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. 

Three candidates have signed up to run for the open seat — Republicans Karl Gillespie and Ron Haven and Democrat Charlie Leatherwood. 

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. 

Haven 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. 

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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District 3 Commissioner Paul Higdon signed up to run for a second term, but he will face three challengers — Republicans Greg Boyer and Manny Carrion and Democrat Bobby Kuppers. 

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

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.

Carrion, a 36-year-old local businessman, was one of 12 candidates who ran for the Franklin Board of Aldermen in 2013 but he didn’t garner enough votes to claim a seat on the board. 

The primary election will be held for both parties on March 15.