Photo courtesy N.C. General Assembly

FAYETTEVILLE – Wednesday night, Democrats in Cumberland County unanimously chose Margaret Dickson to replace state Sen. Tony Rand's seat. Rand stepped down to take over as chairman of the North Carolina Post Release Supervision and Parole Commission.

Dickson's top priority when the Senate reconvenes in the spring is to work on rebuilding the economy.

“It is a slow and steady road, but I intend to adhere to that path and get us going again,” she said.

Dave Boliek Jr., the other contender for the Senate seat says there are still the primaries in May to consider.

“My inclination now is to seek the seat and to file some time after Feb. 8,” Boliek said. He says he has the fresh ideas the public is looking for.

“I think the state is looking for new leadership,” he said. “I think that voters are looking to shake up things in Raleigh.”

Democratic officials say they were looking for a candidate to be strong in November. Already Wesley Meredith, a Republican city council member from Fayetteville, said he plan to run.

“It is important that they are electable, and hopefully the process will prove that they are electable come the primary and general election in November,” Floyd Johnson, of the Cumberland County Democratic Party, said.

Now that Dickson will be filling the seat, her seat in the state House is vacant. Cumberland County Democratic Party members say they expect several candidates to step forward in the next couple of days.