2 former GOP state senators enter 2024 statewide primaries | Eastern NC Now

Two former state senators have entered major primaries for statewide office in 2024,  Deanna Ballard of Wautauga County for Lieutenant Governor and Andy Wells of Catawba County for Governor.  Ballard was double bunked with fellow incumbent Ralph Hise in 2022 redistricting and narrowly lost the primary to Hise.  Wells stepped down several terms ago.

Ballard is a Christian conservative who has long worked for Rev. Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse, and has focused heavily on education issues.  Wells is a Chamber of Commerce establishment type who was a big supporter of Green New Deal wind and solar efforts.  Ballard has never run statewide before.  Wells was a failed statewide candidate in the 2020 primary.

The governor's primary is now led by Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson and State Treasurer Dale Folwell, both conservatives, and moderate conservative former congressman Mark Walker.  Liberal establishment GOP consultant Paul Shumaker has been trying to get an establishment candidate into the race  and has been pushing the current Commissioner of Agriculure Steve Troxler to run.  Shumaker has been paid big bucks by the far left environmentalist activists to push wind and solar, so one wonders if he may have settled on Wells as his candidate.

https://dailyhaymaker.com/another-one-seeking-to-be-l-t/