Hunt's Limit: 8 years, maybe 12

CHALLENGER TO LONGTIME INCUMBENT HUFFMAN SAYS HE'D RESTRICT TERM

Friday, August 25, 2006

By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer

Steve Hunt said eight, or possibly 12, years would be plenty of time for him to achieve his goals if he were elected Catawba County sheriff in November.

Hunt, who is challenging long-time incumbent David Huffman, announced at Tuesday's Catawba County Democrats' meeting that he will impose a term limit on himself, though he later hedged on how many of the four-year terms would be his maximum.

At first, Hunt said he'd only spend eight years in the job if elected, but later said he'd consider a third term. Hunt, a 30-year veteran of the Hickory Police Department, said he worries that elected officials cannot be as effective if they hold one position for too long.

"Two terms, three at the most, is healthy," he said after the meeting. "After (that) someone else needs to come in with fresh, new ideas and then take the office to the next level."

Hunt's announcement targets one of Huffman's strongest qualifications in a closely watched race - a 24-year run as Catawba County sheriff. Huffman, who serves on the U.S. Homeland Security Intelligence team, said building contacts in the region and across the nation takes time.

"You don't get these things in two terms, not on a national level. There's just no way," he said Wednesday.

Huffman said he wonders why Hunt served 30 years with the Hickory Police Department if he believes in term limits.

"If he's only going to work eight years for the sheriff," Huffman said, "why didn't he only work eight for Hickory?"

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