A Republican candidate for North Carolina House District 27 filed to run in the March 3 primary, according to the Halifax County Board of Elections.

That sets up a contested race for the seat in November between the winner of the Democratic primary — incumbent Rodney Pierce or challenger Michael Wray — and Kenneth W. Bentley Jr., a Halifax Republican who filed Monday.

Bentley is a scheduled guest speaker for the December 13 joint meeting of the Republican parties of Halifax, Northampton, and Warren counties. That meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at Casa Mia’s in Littleton.

Both Pierce and Wray filed Monday and released statements on their candidacies.

In other filings Monday, sitting District 7 District Attorney Kim G. Scott filed for re-election.

Former law enforcement officer Chuck Hasty filed to run as a Republican for one of the three at-large seats on the Halifax County Board of Commissioners. As of this report, incumbents Vernon Bryant, Chenoa Richardson Davis, and Sammy Webb had not filed.

In the race for Halifax County Clerk of Superior Court, newcomers Chris Kidd and Weldon attorney Ronnie Reeves have filed.

Incumbent Sheriff Tyree Davis filed and is expected to face competition from Roanoke Rapids businessman Tracy Story.