Local Republican Greg Dority on Tuesday filed to run for state auditor.

“After much consideration and prayer, I have filed today for the position of NC Auditor,” Dority announced in a news release. “It is critical for the NCGOP to field the strongest candidate slate possible to support (former Charlotte mayor) Pat McCrory in his ascension to the Governor’s mansion and my presence on the ticket will ensure an eastern conservative is there to help drive the vote.”

Dority is current chairman of the Beaufort County Republican Party.

The state auditor’s website shows the office “serves as the watchdog for State government by providing citizens, legislators, and government officials with professional, independent evaluations of the State’s financial records and public program performance.”

The Raleigh-based office carries a four-year term.

The auditor’s $129,198 annual salary is set by statute, and all North Carolina Council of State members draw this same salary, said Dennis Patterson, director of public and legislative affairs in the auditor’s office.

In an interview, Dority said he was encouraged to run for auditor by Robin Hayes, a former Old North State congressman and present chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party.

He said Hayes called him a couple of weeks ago, urging him to get into the race.

“It was a very pleasant surprise,” Dority commented.

A call seeking comment from state Republican officials wasn’t immediately returned Tuesday.

The other Republican in the auditor’s contest is Debra Goldman, a member of the Wake County Board of Education. Dority and Goldman may face one another in the May 8 GOP primary election.

The winner of that primary will probably face incumbent Auditor Beth Wood, a Democrat.

Dority has never held elective office, but has been a candidate for multiple offices since 2002. The offices he has sought include U.S. House in the 1st Congressional District and lieutenant governor.

Dority’s last campaign was in 2010, against U.S. Rep. Mel Watt, D-N.C. Watt achieved re-election.

Last November, the Republican said he intended to run against North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, but, this year, he made it known he’d changed his mind after getting input from GOP officials.

Dority graduated from N.C. State University in 1981, majoring in political science, his news release reads. He’s a retired security consultant and is president of the Washington Girls Softball League.

A widower, Dority resides with his daughter in Washington.