Former state Rep. Richard Morgan filed as a candidate for state Senate late Thursday afternoon, setting up a Republican primary with his one-time ally, incumbent Harris Blake.

Morgan served 16 years in the House, ascending to co-speaker of the House, before losing a heated Republican primary to Joe Boylan in 2006. State party leaders backed Boylan in the primary.

The GOP had declared war on Morgan, accusing him of betraying the party when he made a power-sharing deal with Democrat Jim Black, as the two became the first co-speakers of the House in state history.

Black was later convicted of corruption charges and is serving time in federal prison.

His wife, County Commissioner Cindy Morgan, ran against Blake, a Pinehurst Republican, in a 2008 primary and lost. She is seeking re-election as a commissioner this year.

The Pilot was unable to reach Richard Morgan for comment late today.

On Wednesday, Republican Craig Kennedy, of Robbins, filed to oppose Cindy Morgan for the District III seat. They will face off in the May 4 primary.

William S. Garner, a Pinebluff Democrat, also filed Wednesday as a candidate for the District V seat on the Board of Commissioners. He will oppose Republican Commissioner Jimmy Melton in November. He is the first Democrat to file for a local office.

Also today, Johnnie J, McNeill, of Robbins, filed for the District 3 seat on the nonpartisan Board of Education, opposing incumbent Charles Lambert, who is seeking re-election. Enola Lineberger filed as a candidate for one of the three at-large seats on the board.

The filing period ends at noon Friday.

For more on this story, see Friday's print edition of The Pilot.