Tony Berk is seeking signers on his petition for a place on the November ballot as a candidate for district attorney of Moore County.

If successful, he will seek to replace Maureen Krueger, the incumbent since her appointment last year when the county became a single procesutorial district.

He disputed Krueger's statement, quoted Friday, that he had asked her last summer if she had any job openings in her office. Berk said he never did that, and wouldn't do it.

"I am flattered that she sees me as such a threat to her election, but I understand her fear," Berk said in an e-mail. "However, there are a few things that I would like to set the record straight about. First, I never have asked for a job in her office."

Krueger and Berk had both been assistant district attorneys working out of the Carthage office when Moore was part of a three-county district, and Garland Yates was the DA, with the main office in Asheboro.

"I was prosecuting all the Superior Court jury trials in both Moore and Montgomery counties for four years, while Maureen was in the Moore County office with me," Berk said. "Moreover, I would never run for office against my employer, something I deem unethical. Maureen suggests that I do just that -- run in Robeson County."

He said he wouldn't do that, because he doesn't think it would be right for an assistant DA to run against his employer.

"The district attorney I work for there is Luther Johnson Britt, whom I admire and respect as an excellent prosecuting attorney and an even better person," he said. "I would never betray his trust in any way. Additionally, I have never lived in Robeson County, as would be required to run for office there. If Maureen isn't aware of that requirement, she should be.

"Perhaps the comment demonstrates her inexperience. I have lived in Moore County more than 11 years, and have no intention of moving away. I find Maureen's reported comment that I don't know what I want to do particularly ill-taken."

Krueger's comments brought this sharp response, and Berk is already campaigning against her even as he gathers the required 4 percent of registered Moore County voters (he needs about 2,400 signers) to place his name in nomination as an unaffiliated candidate. Krueger is a Republican, running without primary opposition.

In a telephone conversation Thursday, Krueger stood by what she had said about his asking for a job. She could not be reached for comment Friday, as she was in court prosecuting domestic violence cases all day.