CONVICTED FELON ENTERS SHERIFF'S RACE

Another candidate has entered the race for New Hanover County Sheriff - and
this time it's a convicted felon.

Paul C. Johnson, who ran for Wilmington City Council last year, has
accepted the nomination of the Libertarian Party and plans to run for the post.

Mr. Johnson, who freely admits that he was convicted of the felonious sale
and delivery of cocaine in 1983, has joined a field of candidates who
dedicated their careers to enforcing the law: former deputies Marc Benson,
Republican, and James Smyre, Democrat, retired deputy Nathan Johnson and
Chief Deputy Sid Causey, both Democrats.

Independent candidate Eddie Reynolds, a registered Republican, is trying to
get enough signatures for his name to appear on the November ballot.

Mr. Johnson says he served a probationary sentence, and his civil rights
were restored in 1991, allowing him to run for office.

In a statement Thursday, Mr. Johnson said he accepted his party's
nomination while armed with a .32 caliber six-shot revolver.

Mr. Johnson is due in court later this month, charged with possession of a
firearm by a felon, two counts of carrying a concealed weapon - a knife and
a gun - driving while impaired and hindering and delaying law enforcement
officers.

Mr. Johnson is representing himself on the criminal charges.

He is also representing himself in a civil lawsuit he has filed accusing
the city of Wilmington of violating open meetings laws and operating as a
secret political society.

For more information, visit the Internet site capefeargov.com.cq