One of the most controversial state lawmakers from Eastern Carolina is going to face a primary challenger this May.

Republican representative Stephen LaRoque represents Lenoir, Wayne and Greene counties in District Ten, and is in his third term.

Tuesday John Bell, a businessman from Wayne County announced he will seek the Republican nomination.

Bell, the Vice Chairman of the Wayne County Republican Party, says he is campaigning to bring quality and respectable conservative leadership to North Carolina District Ten, while Laroque says he welcomes the challenge.

Bell says, "I know Representative Laroque. Everyone is aware of the issues that he got into. Everyone has seen the news articles. This campaign is not about what he has done. This campaign is about what I bring to the table. The merit, the morals, the values. The ethical business practices I have."

Laroque says, "Competition is something I never run away from. Certainly you like to have an election, especially as an incumbent, that you wouldn't have a primary that folks would believe what you've done up there is a good job."