Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

March 6, 2008 issue

Candidates Address Local Republicans at Convention

Party Passes Four Resolutions and Approves Platform

Story by Kathleen McFadden

The Watauga County Republican Party held its convention on Saturday, March 1, and several candidates for state, federal and judicial offices attended and addressed the group. In addition, party members passed four resolutions and a party platform.

What the Candidates Said

First up was Fifth Congressional District Representative Virginia Foxx who thanked attendees “for being engaged in this process of keeping our country free.” Foxx noted particularly the young people attending the convention and said, “I hope this is just the beginning of your being involved.” Foxx said she is “extremely optimistic about the Republican chances in the fall. The national media would like you to think that the election’s over,” but Foxx pointed out that the GOP needs 18 seats to take the majority in the House of Representatives. “I think we have an excellent chance of taking back the House,” she said, because the Democrat Party is “in disarray because they are being controlled by the unions and the trial lawyers.”

NC Senator Robert Pittenger, one of four GOP candidates for lieutenant governor, expressed his concern over the “44 percent growth in [state] spending and the new-tax burden of $6 billion.” Pittenger promised reforms to reduce the tax burden, to pay teachers by performance instead of longevity and to address illegal immigration. Pittenger said that GOP members of the General Assembly cannot get their proposed reforms out of committee. “If I could get [the marriage amendment] on the ballot, it would drive Republicans to the polls and change this state politically forever,” Pittenger said. “The Democrats are in iron-fist control, but we’re going to break their control.”

Dan Soucek, who is challenging incumbent Cullie Tarleton for the NC House seat for the 93rd District, described himself as “a fiscal and social conservative.” Soucek continued, “I really want to support families, to protect born and unborn children and to support the sanctity of marriage.” Soucek said he would be a voice in Raleigh to reduce taxes and to help ensure that the High Country gets its share of state money and is not shortchanged by unfair formulas.

Jerry Butler, who faces a primary with Dwight Shook of Taylorsville to determine who will run against incumbent NC Senator Steve Goss in November, said, “Private ownership of land is going to be imposed upon. Liberal Democrats want to tax our well and water rights.” Butler also identified the state’s dropout rate, tort reform, corporate taxes and the lack of jobs that have led to a local “brain drain” as his key issues.

Bob Orr, one of five Republican candidates for governor, used most of his time to discuss the Democrat Party leadership in Raleigh. “There is a mindset and culture in Raleigh of one party domination that’s been going on for 100 years. They think they can get away with anything,” he said. Orr talked about criminal activity associated with the NC lottery, the Randy Parton theatre scandal and State Treasurer Richard Moore’s campaign contributions. Orr said the Democrats “pushed through mental health reform and $400 million of tax money has been wasted. People who needed services haven’t gotten them. It is maybe the greatest disgrace the state has faced in ages.”

However, as one local party member mentioned after the convention, several prominent Republicans, including Virginia Foxx who was a state senator at the time, were key participants in the mental health reform effort.

Judicial races are nonpartisan elections, but two district court judicial candidates are Republicans and spoke at the convention. Incumbent Judge Greg Horne is unopposed for his seat. Ted McEntire, who has worked for 11 years in the district attorney’s office, filed unopposed to run for the seat currently held by Judge Kyle Austin.

Also present was Supreme Court Justice Bob Edmunds of Greensboro who is running against Suzanne Reynolds of Winston-Salem. Edmunds spoke for his candidacy and for that of two other Republican judicial candidates: Court of Appeals Judges Doug McCullough and John Tyson. “The Democrats have targeted us and we all have competition,” Edmunds said. He pointed out that the judicial candidates will be listed at the “bottom of a huge ballot” and voters who vote straight ticket “will not vote for a single judge.” Edmunds continued, “The only branch of government that we’ve been able to take and hold is the judiciary. A single person is standing between you and full-party control of this state.”

Resolutions and Platform

Party members at the convention passed four resolutions that the executive committee had unanimously approved. Passage of the resolutions at the convention was not unanimous. Some members at the convention cast nay votes.

One resolution calls for the passage of The Unborn Victims of Violence Bill (SB 295, HB263), another supports the passage of the Jessica Lunsford Act (HB 933), another expresses the party’s appreciation for the Armed Forces of the United States, and another expresses appreciation for President George W. Bush.

The approved party platform calls for the following:

• Minimal governmental intrusion, an end to unfunded federal and state mandates and a decrease in local property taxes

• The highest ethical standards for elected officials and the adoption of a Code of Ethics in Watauga County

• The right for property owners to determine how to use their property as long as the use is not harmful to the value of adjoining property

• Good environmental stewardship from individuals and from government at all levels

• Elected officials who actively seek and are responsive to the will of the people when making major decisions

• Bond referenda for large amounts of voluntary debt

• Close monitoring of local dollars provided to Watauga County Schools, with more dollars reaching the classroom and fewer dollars spent on administrators’ salaries

• Competitive supplements for teachers

• Active recruitment of suitable commercial, technological and industrial firms that will offer good-paying jobs for county residents

• Appropriate funding for law enforcement agencies, fire departments, ambulance services and rescue squads