Staff report

SALISBURY — The China Grove Town Council race went from not having enough candidates to fill open spots to a competitive race on Thursday.

In Thursday’s filings for municipal races, the field of candidates running for the China Grove council jumped from two to four.

Meanwhile, one person filed for Cleveland Board of Commissioners, one filed for Granite Quarry Board of Aldermen and one filed for Spencer Board of Aldermen. Most of those candidates are challengers.

Filing for municipal races officially ends at noon today, and the Faith Board of Aldermen still needs two candidates to fill all spots on the ballot this year.

The Board of Elections may choose to extend the filing period to allow for additional people to file in Faith.

The candidates who filed Thursday are:

• Shane Safrit, a challenger running for the China Grove Town Council.

• Jason Higgins, a challenger running for the China Grove Town Council.

• Patrick “Pat” Phifer, running for re-election to the Cleveland Board of Commissioners.

• Wes Rhinier, a challenger running for the Granite Quarry Board of Aldermen.

• Howard White, running for re-election to the Spencer Board of Aldermen.

The elections will be Nov. 7.

For more information about municipal elections, call the Board of Elections at 704-216-8140 or visit www.rowancountync.gov/191/elections.