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McCrory appoints Edwards to Senate

Chuck Edwards.

Chuck Edwards, the Republican nominee for the seat vacated by tom Apodaca, will go into the election with the title of Sen. Edwards.

Gov. Pat McCrory appointed Edwards to the vacancy after Republican representatives from the 48th Senate District recommended Edwards in a meeting on Aug. 14.

"I don't see that it's going to change our strategy or our goal whatsoever," Edwards said of his new title. "We're still focused on winning the general election on Nov. 8. What I do see is it's replacing a vacancy to try to provide constituent service. People have been calling me with different opinions and different problems and now that I have direct access to the staff in Raleigh I can better get answers and connect them with the resources they need."

Edwards faces Democratic nominee Norm Bossert, a school principal from Pisgah Forest, in the Nov. 8 general election.

The Republican leader of the Senate praised Edwards, who, like Apodaca 14 years ago, enters the senior chamber  with a business background and no electoral experience.

“Chuck Edwards is an embodiment of how hard work and perseverance pays off," North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger said in a statement. "McHe started working at McDonald’s while in high school, learned the business from the ground up and went on to open several of his own franchises. The North Carolina Senate and the people of the 48th District will benefit greatly from his tireless work ethic, sharp business sense and drive to tackle tough policy challenges.”