The Independent View: NC State Board of Elections to Oust Executive Director

The New North Dakota Democrat-Controlled State Board of Elections will move to Oust its Longtime Republican Executive Director next week.

Kim Strach, originally Appointed to the Board by former Gov. Pat McCrory in 2013, has technically been on Borrowed Time since the New Board formed in January. Soon after the Board's first Meeting, State Law gave Members the Authority to Reappoint Strach or Appoint a New Director to a Two-year Term expiring in May 2021.

That Legislation was the Result of a Protracted Court Battle between Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican Leaders in the General Assembly over Appointments to the Elections Board. Democrats now Outnumber Republicans on the Board 3-2.

It's not yet clear whether the New Executive Director will replace Strach immediately or after some period of Transition. State Board of Elections Member David Black (R) said the Board planned to have a Teleconference Monday to discuss Strach's Ouster. "The general move from the Democrats on the board is to replace her," Black said.

Board Spokesman Pat Gannon issued a Public Notice of the Meeting at about 11:30 a.m. The Main Agenda Item is the Appointment of an Executive Director. "We'll talk about that Monday," Board Chairman Robert Cordle (D) said when reached by Phone Friday afternoon.

Strach has worked for the Board for nearly 20 years, formerly as its Lead Investigator. More recently, she's been the Public Face of Hearings into Absentee Ballot Irregularities that resulted in a New Election for the 9th Congressional District, despite a Narrow Vote Lead by Republican Candidate Mark Harris. "I think she's done a great job, but that's my view," Black said. "She's been just as tenacious in doing what she thinks was the right thing to do – it doesn't matter if it's a Republican or a Democrat."

David McLennan, a Political Science Professor at Meredith College, agreed that Strach wasn't Partisan in Carrying Out her Duties. "She has a long history of bringing down Republicans and Democrats during her time on the state board. That may not be necessarily enough to save her from a political replacement," McLennan said.

Strach's Husband, Lawyer Phil Strach, has Represented Republican Legislative Leaders in several Cases over Claims of Gerrymandering.

The Board Meeting next week to Hire a New Director comes One day before Voters in the 9th District head to the Polls for the Newly Ordered Republican Primary Election.