MONROE — Union will have at least one primary battle for a seat in the statehouse.

Unionville resident and former candidate for county commissioner Jeff Gerber announced he will challenge N.C. Rep. Curtis Blackwood, R-Union, for the chance to represent the 68th District. The district includes all of Union County’s western municipalities; Unionville is on the eastern end of the district.

“We need a stronger voice in Raleigh,” Gerber said. “I care deeply about our state and I believe I can make a better impact for Union County. I respect Mr. Blackwood but feel it’s time for principled and effective leadership.”

Gerber serves on the Union planning board, which sets long-range plans for the county and advises the board of county commissioners. The board is working on a land-use plan it says will guide future county development. At the state level, Gerber worked to push Jessica’s Law, stricter laws against sex offenders, through the General Assembly. He has recently campaigned for a law that would allow prosecutors to charge people who kill pregnant women with a double homicide.

Blackwood has served four terms in the House of Representatives and was opposed in the 2008 primary when he defeated Sidney Sandy. He serves as the vice-chairman of the education subcommittee and sits on six other committees. He traditionally votes along party lines and has received favorable rankings from conservative groups like the John Locke Foundation.

Also a conservative, Gerber said he is “receptive to working with both parties,” and that it was imperative for Republicans to work with the Democratic majority to pass bills that are for the greater good of North Carolina, even if he does not support every aspect.

“There is no such thing as a perfect bill. And that’s where Mr. Blackwood and myself would differ,” Gerber said. “I have the ability to work in a nonpartisan manner.”

Gerber said he understands “the difference between principle and preference. The citizens in District 68 care about quality roads, good education and certainly lower taxes. These are the issues I feel are being neglected right now.”

Blackwood said Gerber called him earlier this week to announce his intentions.

“My position has always been that everybody has the right to run for public office,” Blackwood said. “Let the people make their choices of who they would like to represent them.”

Filing runs Feb. 8 through Feb. 26. Blackwood defeated former Marvin Mayor and Democrat Mike Cognac last year in the general election; Cognac stepped in after fellow Democrat Daniel Zeller resigned his candidacy.