Attorney files response opposing removal of Elections Director DeNay Harris

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. (WWAY)– There is a new twist in the saga involving embattled New Hanover County Elections Director DeNay Harris.

Gary Shipman filed a formal response opposing efforts to remove Harris from office.

He calls the action “Clearly pretextual, retaliatory, and unsupported by reliable evidence.”

Harris is currently suspended after reports of her clashing with county employers, including county manager Chris Coudriet, over access to election offices, which are run by the county.

Another issue that may be a reason for the petition, election records show a convicted felon voted in a recent election, which is illegal. Shipman claims his client is taking the fall for something she is not responsible for.

“That didn’t happen on DeNay Harris’s watch. Meaning anything that happened in the election—her first election on March 3, 2026—was the product of supervision exercised by someone other than her,” said Shipman.

Harris remains suspended with pay after the New Hanover County Board of Elections filed a petition with the North Carolina State Board of Elections seeking her removal. Which decline to comment attorney’s statement, citing it as personnel matter.