Retired NC police chief challenging Jones in GOP

NEW BERN, NC (AP) — A newly retired police chief plans a
challenge within the Republican Party to unseat an incumbent North
Carolina congressman who has represented the region for more than a
decade.

Former New Bern Police Chief Frank Palombo plans to announce his
candidacy Wednesday for the Republican nomination in North
Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District. The 63-year-old Palombo
retired after 14 years as chief in June, ending a 34-year law
enforcement career.

He’s targeting incumbent Congressman Walter Jones of Farmville.
Jones has represented the coastal and rural district in the U.S.
House since 1995. No other candidates have publicly entered the
race.

The district was redrawn by state legislators this year after
the U.S. Census to reach south along the coast to Wilmington. The
new district would include fewer registered Republicans.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)