Article in the Dispatch about the November 2, 2010 election
Poll conducted by the Carolina Strategy Group in May
Election brings some surprises - The Dispatch
Candidate speech to the Davidson County Republican Party, September 3, 2009
I
am here to announce my candidacy for the NC
I would like to begin by addressing the election of 2008. I ran last year for two overriding reasons:
No one else would and I could not bear the thought that this party and the people of the 81st would give Hugh Holliman another free pass to another two years in the NC
I felt strongly that Holliman’s record must be illuminated and challenged.
I realized immediately that it was going to be an uphill battle. Few expected me to win or even come close, but I refused to let that calculation determine my decision to run. I believed that there were principles to defend and that if I did everything I knew to do to win, there would be honor and valor in the effort.
I knew that should Obama be on the ticket, people would be coming out of the woodwork to vote.
I also understood that Democrats greatly outnumber Republicans in the 81st and that I would be facing a four term incumbent, who in the end would out spend me 12 to 1. Still, with not one major advantage and a tsunami coming towards us, 600 votes the other way and District 81 would have a new representative, and I promise you much different representation.
But that didn't happen. I was very disappointed but knew that given my experience level, time, and resources I had done my best. I also realized that the run had benefited me in many ways. Key among them, was that I came to know so many of you on a deeper, more personal level and had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people across the district. I would wager that more people in the 81st met me in six months last year than have met Holliman in the last decade. After election night, my main concern was what the re-election of Holliman would mean to all of us. Was the tremendous effort by so many, who desired different representation, in vain? My only hope was that after such a narrow victory, Holliman might modify his votes on issues of importance to the district and become more attuned to our needs and concerns. But that didn't happen and I believe that that points to an arrogance and a sense of entitlement that is so typical of so many politicians today.
I am from the grassroots and there is an anger and frustration toward our government that I have never seen before. People are demanding responsible and responsive government, which does not bode well for career politicians like Hugh Holliman, who I believe have been anything but responsible and responsive to their constituents.
We continue to elect a representative who:
Never saw a tax he didn’t want to raise.
Never saw a dollar of someone else’s that he didn’t itch to spend.
There are people here in this room who know that he never saw a private property right that he could support.
And now since this last session, we learn that he cannot get a bill passed that ensures our right to protect ourselves on our own private property.
I want to conclude by thanking so many of you in this room and from across the county and district who helped me so much last year. I will never forget it, will always be grateful for it, and ask for your support once again. I want you to know that last year I never forgot what a tremendous responsibility it was to represent you and others across the district.
It was an honor and a privilege to be your candidate and I will always appreciate your allowing me that opportunity.
We are continue defining our Campaign organization. The precincts that make up District 81 in Davidson County are:
- Boone
- Central
- Cotton Grove
- Lexington 1, 2 and 4
- Lexington Ward #1, 2, 4, 5 and 6
- Silver Hill
- Southmont
- Tyro
- Thomasville 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7