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Andrews – Alderman Steve Jordan’s appeals process has taken another twist and could be headed to the N.C. Supreme Court.
“We’ve filed an appeal with the state Supreme Court today to have hopefully another stay granted so that I can stay on the ballot,” Jordan told the Cherokee Scout on Monday. “We’re following this all the way to the end. Wherever we have to take it, we’re taking it.”
Jordan, who is seeking re-election, lost a Cherokee County Board of Elections decision over Alderman James Mclean’s allegation that Jordan isn’t actually an Andrews resident. Since residency is required to be a town alderman, Jordan subsequently lost his seat on the Andrews Board of Aldermen by a vote of that board.
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He lost his appeal to the N.C. Board of Elections but obtained a temporary stay from the N.C. Court of Appeals. He was reinstated by the board of aldermen on Oct. 10.
Monday brought a new amended order, Cherokee County Board of Elections Director Leighsa Jones said.
“The county attorney (Darryl Brown) has the amended order, which contains a dissenting opinion, which means that one of the judges had some reason to change Friday’s order,” she said.
Will Jordan be on the Nov. 4 ballot?
“We’re waiting to see what happens with that. We’ve not seen anything like this,” Jones said.
Brown said he could not comment on pending litigation, but added, “There is a possible appeal to the N.C. Supreme Court, therefore it is treated as pending litigation. The county is monitoring the situation and staying in touch with the state Board of Elections for guidance.”
Andrews Mayor James Reid said Jordan’s position as alderman will remain until his term ends after the November election. Echoing Jones, Reid said, “I’ve never been through anything like this.”
Reid said the issue will be discussed at the aldermen’s next regular meeting Thursday, Nov. 13. The October meeting was rescheduled but later canceled.
Meet & greet in Murphy
A bipartisan Meet & Greet with Murphy municipal candidates will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Murphy Public Library.
Although all candidates can attend, some will be out of town, including Murphy Mayor Tim Radford. Radford’s opponent in the race for mayor passed away after the filing period.
“I’ll be at an Association of Tennessee Valley Governments meeting, which was planned several months ago,” Radford said. “They’re naming me as secretary of that organization, so I can’t really miss that.”
All community members are encouraged to attend the event, which is co-sponsored by the Cherokee County Democratic Party and Cherokee County Republican Party.
“This event offers voters a valuable opportunity to meet the candidates, ask questions and learn more about their perspectives on local issues ahead of Election Day,” the parties said in a release.
Nov. 4 general election
Municipal elections will be held in Murphy and Andrews on Nov. 4. There is no early voting for the municipal elections.
In Andrews, five candidates are running for two board of aldermen seats occupied by Jordan and Brandi Smith. Smith is running for mayor against incumbent Mayor James Reid and is not running for re-election as an alderman, leaving her seat undefended.
Running for the two aldermen seats are Rex Cable, Gary James, Chasity Ledford, Heath Woodard and Jordan, unless he loses his appeal.
The election in Murphy is only slightly less complicated.
The Murphy Town Council already had one seat vacant following the 2024 resignation of Keisha Dockery. In addition, incumbent council member Frank Dickey is not running for re-election.
That leaves two of the six council seats undefended.
Seven people are running: incumbents Cindy Chastain, Barry McClure, Charlene Smith and Gail Walker Stansell; new candidates Jonathan Dickey and Kimberly Harris; and write-in candidate Cameron Killian.
For mayor, Radford is seeking re-election, while Jeff Crane, who was running against Radford, passed away after filing for the office. A memorial is planned for Crane at 3 p.m. Saturday at Episcopal Church of the Messiah in downtown Murphy.