Bill gets key help: Sheriffs' group favors keeping felons out of race

(By Paul Garber, Winston-Salem Journal) - Members of the N.C. Sheriffs' Association have voted to support a bill in the N.C. Senate that would prohibit convicted felons from running for sheriff.

No such restriction exists now, so nothing bars such candidates as Gerald Hege from running. Hege was the sheriff of Davidson County until he pleaded guilty to felony counts, and served his sentence. He is running for his old position.

The vote of support came yesterday during a meeting of the association in Wrightsville Beach. Those present voted unanimously to back the bill, said the group's president, James L. Knight of Edgecombe County.