RALEIGH, N.C.  – People are already lining up to replace Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand one day after he announced he was leaving the Legislature for North Carolina’s parole commission.

Several Senate Democrats said Thursday that Sen. Martin Nesbitt of Buncombe County and allies have called asking for support to elect Nesbitt the next majority leader.

Sen. Doug Berger of Franklin County said Thursday he supports Nesbitt because he feels Nesbitt would best represent urban and rural interests. There’s no timetable for a vote by the Senate Democratic Caucus.

Fayetteville attorney David Boliek Jr. also has announced he’s seeking the Democratic nomination for the 19th Senate District seat

Rand will vacate. Local Democrats will choose someone to fill Rand’s seat through 2010.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Bev Perdue Friday appointed Toni Sa King to the District Court bench for the 12th Judicial District for Cumberland County.  King will fill the vacancy created by the election of Judge Cheri Beasley to the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

“Toni King’s experience in private practice and her commitment to public service in the Cumberland County community have prepared her well for this seat on the bench, “ said Perdue. “I am confident that she has the qualities and character that will best serve the citizens of Cumberland County.”

Since 2000, King has served as a private practitioner in Cumberland County.  She currently is a partner in the firm of Miller, King and Clouse in Fayetteville, NC. She previously was an attorney at the Rogers & Miller Firm in Fayetteville, NC.

King has been a leader in her community having served as a member of numerous civic and professional organizations in Cumberland County.  She has also served as an adjunct professor at Fayetteville State University.

King earned her undergraduate degree from North Carolina Central University in 1996.  She received her law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 2000.

A Cumberland County official is using apple pie recipes to confirm voter addresses, WRAL reports.

FAYETEVILLE, N.C. — The Terry Sanford High School Student Government Association (SGA) in partnership with the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce is presenting a forum for District judicial races and candidates for County Commissioner.

The forum is Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008, at 7 p.m. in the school’s auditorium.

Tim White, Fayetteville Observer editorial page editor, will moderate the forum with questions developed in part by SGA students. The first 25 to 30 minutes will be given to candidates for district court judge. The last sixty minutes will be dedicated to the candidates for county commissioner. All candidates will be asked to answer all questions from the moderator.

This forum marks the 15th consecutive year a candidates’ forum has been hosted at Terry Sanford.