Former Mt. Airy Mayor To Run For Lt. Governor

Deborah Cochran, a local teacher and former mayor, is putting her hat in the ring early for the 2020 race for lieutenant governor.

Cochran is well known locally - in addition to teaching in Winston-Salem, she was also mayor of Mt. Airy for more than five years, until 2015, where she was also a radio personality for more than three decades.

She says she's seeking the Republican nomination to replace Dan Forest. The state Constitution bars him from running for a third term. Forest, a Republican, is expected to enter the GOP primary for a chance to challenge Democrat Roy Cooper for the governor's seat in 2020.

Cochran says her campaign will focus on economic development, job creation, mental health and substance abuse prevention.

She says she hasn't completed her campaign paperwork yet but expects to in a week or so.