Cindy Morgan filed Monday as a candidate for state Senate District 22, setting up a May Republican primary with the incumbent, Harris Blake of Pinehurst.

On Tuesday, Southern Pines funeral home owner Jamie Boles filed for state House, becoming the second Republican challenger to state Rep. Joe Boylan, who is seeking re-election to a second term.

If elected, Morgan said she will relinquish her seat on the Moore County Board of Commissioners at the end of the year, when the local Republican Party will be asked to recommend a successor for her seat. She is serving her first term on the board. She is the wife of former state Rep. Richard Morgan, who was once a close political ally of Blake.

"I just decided that a new and fresh energy is needed in the Senate," Morgan said.

Blake, who already filed for re-election, said he unaware Cindy Morgan planned to oppose him.

"I have filed, and I plan to win," Blake said Tuesday morning. "Whoever files, I wish them well."

Morgan said she decided to seek legislative office primarily because of her health-care background, but also because her experience on the Board of Commissioners has opened her eyes to the effect that legislation has on local government.

Morgan said her husband has supported her in the decision to run for the Senate but did not influence her to do so. Richard Morgan served in the state House for eight terms and rose to become one of the most powerful GOP legislative leaders until he was toppled from office in the 2006 primary with the election of state Rep. Joe Boylan. Morgan served as House minority leader and later served as co-speaker of the House, along with Democrat Jim Black, who was deposed last year in the wake of federal and state investigations into campaign finances.

In the state House race, Boles joins Lane Toomey, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel from Southern Pines, who filed Feb. 14. to challenge Boylan. All three will face off in the May 6 primary.

Boles, who owns Boles Funeral Homes and Crematory, said he is running because he wants to represent Moore County.

"I feel like I could be an effective leader for the people of Moore County," he said.

Check back with ThePilot.com for updates.

Staff writer Matthew Moriarty contributed to this report.