SHERIFF HEGE CHALLENGERS START TO EMERGE

When this year's filing period for the May 7 primaries formally begins at
noon Feb. 18, several people plan to throw their hats into the ring against
Davidson County Sheriff Gerald K. Hege.

The Republican sheriff, who has served since 1994, has said he plans to run
for a third term this year. He will face Republican as well as Democratic
competition. "It's going to be a crowded field," said Randall Lanier,
Davidson County's Democratic Party chairman.

The filing period for this year's elections ends at noon March 1.

Lanier said that, so far, he knows of five Democrats who plan to file.

At least one Republican, Boyd Wayne Littleton, said he plans to run against
Hege in the primary. He said he believes people are ready for a change in
the sheriff's office this time and predicts Hege will be defeated.

"If I lose in the primary, it's going to be done in the general election,"
he said.

Hege couldn't be reached Friday by the High Point Enterprise for comment on
his electoral opponents.

The general election will be Nov. 5.

Lanier said the negative publicity Hege's department received when three of
his deputies were arrested on federal drug and racketeering charges in
December has improved the Democratic party's chances of getting the seat back.

Hege defeated Democratic Sheriff Jimmy Johnson in 1994 by a small margin,
Lanier said.

"I feel like the sheriff has a dent in his armor. The fact that he's
challenged in the primary is evidence of that," Lanier said.

But David Faust, chairman of the county's Republican party, believes the
recent controversy has galvanized Hege's supporters.

"They're behind him now more than ever," he said.

Faust said he frequently runs into people in restaurants and other public
places who tell him they plan to support Hege in the upcoming primary and
general election.

"He's got overwhelming support in the northern end (of Davidson County),"
Faust said. He added that to win the county, candidates must win over the
voters of the heavily populated northern Davidson.

Out of 89,431 registered voters in the county, 35,010 are Democrats and
42,411 are Republican. Of the remaining voters, 11,910 are independents,
and 100 are Libertarian, reports Ruth Huneycutt, director of Davidson
County's Board of Elections.