Republican Jeffrey Elmore announces bid for Lt. Governor | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's Note: This post appears here courtesy of the Carolina Journal. The author of this post is Alex Baltzegar.

    Rep. Jeffrey Elmore, R-Wilkes, has announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor of North Carolina. Elmore is 45 years old and hails from North Wilkesboro, where he lives with his wife and three children.

    Elmore made this announcement during the monthly gathering of the Wilkes County Republican Party on Thursday evening, April 28. The event took place at the Brushy Mountain Smokehouse and Creamery, located in North Wilkesboro.

    In an interview with The Wilkes Record, Elmore expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming race.

    "I'm very excited," Elmore said. "I feel with my background in education, I can help in this role moving forward."

    Elmore currently works as an art teacher within the Wilkes County Schools system, which he feels provides him with valuable insight into North Carolina's education system.

    The decision by Elmore to seek the position of lieutenant governor comes in the wake of current Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson announcing that he will run for governor.

    Elmore's political career began with his service on the North Wilkesboro Town Board of Commissioners, where he served from 2008 to 2012. In 2012, he was successfully elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives, where he has been reelected for five consecutive terms.

    Other declared candidates for the race are Hal Weatherman, Allen Mashburn, and Peter Boykin.

    North Carolina is expected to hold the Republican primary election for lieutenant governor and other offices on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.