Former Rep. Wright to be replaced tonight

So a mayor, a longshoreman, a homemaker and a former county commissioner walk into a room ...

It might sound like the beginning of a joke, but tonight it's democracy in action as area Democrats gather in Burgaw to name a replacement for Thomas Wright.

The former state legislator was expelled from the General Assembly last month for allegedly bilking businesses and donors out of nearly $350,000.

In theory, the new representative could be any registered Democrat living in the parts of New Hanover and Pender counties that make up District 18. The floor will be open to all qualified candidates, said Melvin Williams, chairman of the Democrats' 7th Congressional District Committee, who will preside over the meeting.

Speakers have eight minutes to make their case, with an additional three minutes for follow up, Williams said.

Then the decision of who will represent the 43,000 registered voters of District 18 falls to four people: James Faison, a former Pender County Commissioner; Pete Cowan, the mayor of Burgaw; Reese Smith, a retired longshoreman and precinct chairman; and Lynn McIntyre, a homemaker and Democratic activist.

Together, they form the Executive Committee of House District 18, a standing group formed long before anyone thought it would be called to action.

Originally, Cowan figured he was just a name on a list.

"At the time, nobody took it very seriously," Cowan said. "Now we're making history, for whatever it's worth."

Cowan said he already knows whom he will vote for to serve out Wright's term, though he declined to say if it's one of the three Democrats on the ballot for the May primary for District 18.

Those candidates are: Hollis Briggs, a chef and community activist; Sandra Spaulding Hughes, a former Wilmington councilwoman; and Wright, who is seeking a return to the office he just lost, although he is unlikely to attend tonight's meetings.

"I'm a little busy with other things," Wright said Tuesday during a break in his felony trial in Wake County, where he continues to wear his legislative lapel pin.

Faison and Smith also declined to say whom they were voting for, or whether they would consider Wright as a candidate. If he's convicted of a felony, Wright would lose the seat again.

"I am not going to say if I'll vote for Thomas or against Thomas," said Faison, who stepped down as the head of the Pender County Democratic Party last year. "When things were going well, he was a very, very good and efficient representative."

McIntyre was the only committee member to say she definitely won't consider Wright, although she too declined to reveal her vote.

Briggs said he would attend with as many supporters as he could muster. He said he was confident of winning but predicted he could finish first in the May primary regardless of what happens tonight.

"The way the constituents think is going to be totally different," he said.

Calls to Spaulding Hughes on Wednesday were not returned by the end of the business day.

New Hanover County accounts for twice as many District 18 voters as Pender does. Accordingly, the votes of Smith and McIntyre have twice the weight as those of Faison and Cowan.

Sam Scott: 343-2370

sam.scott@starnewsonline.com

Staff writer Vicky Eckenrode contributed to this report.

Want to go?

What: Area Democrats name a replacement for Thomas Wright

When: Tonight 7 p.m.

Where: Pender County Courthouse Annex, 100 S. Dickerson St., Burgaw.