Eastern North Carolina – The two Republican candidates squaring off for May’s primary have two very different priorities for seeking office.

The candidates are former newspaper reporter Bettie Fennell and Veterinarian Bill Rabon.

The senate district is considered an open seat for November’s election, because R.C. Soles is retiring. In February he pled guilty to misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon. He says he shot a former client when the client broke into his house.