Thursday, October 11, 2012

Updated North Carolina Voters Guide

Via Bernhard

 

This is an updated version of the previously-sent Guide, you will find new additions in italics below.  The NC LS does not endorse candidates but shares information on candidates that reveals the depth of their traditional conservative principles -- important to us as we head to the polls next month.  Please feel free to share this information with your family, friends, and those who are like-thinkers with our political goals and views of conservative politics in the valued tradition of the tight-fisted Nathaniel Macon who well-understood the nature of our government, proper State and federal relations, and what the United States Constitution means and doesn’t mean.  

11 October 2012 Update

North Carolina League of the South – 2012 Voter Guide

The following is a partial listing of important Statewide elections to be held in November with candidates information compiled from their statements or past records as incumbents. 

The NC LS as a traditionally-conservative organization sees it as imperative that candidates be elected who espouse and actively pursue efforts to govern North Carolina in a manner which holds “North Carolina First,” and steadfastly protecting our culture and past. We also strongly encourage the election of candidates to be our representatives and conduct State-federal relations as intended by the United States Constitution and underscored by the Tenth Amendment.

The NC LS Legislative Committee
POB 328, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403


The primary differences between Democrat and Republican candidates for State office appear to be in the areas of education, abortion and fracking; both seem to follow national party line on other issues.  Little difference is apparent in the area of economic incentives.

The conservative viewpoint on the above is simple: education of our children should be a basic, frugal endeavor and not social experimentation which does not follow parental wishes; killing a child in the womb is murder; and private development interests should not be impeded if their intentions and projects are lawful.

Regarding economic incentives, our State and local governments have no authority to speculate with hard-earned tax dollars. The business climate in our State should be friendly and have simple regulations that attract business, and other than State officials welcoming new companies to North Carolina who offer to employ our citizens, this is incentive enough. The excuse of other States offering incentives and that we must do the same is not the conservative vocabulary.  This is how North Carolinians were drummed into accepting a State lottery – which is a State monopoly on gambling and encourages wasteful spending. Conservatives believe that government does not create jobs, private businesses do. 

Should McCrory be elected and a Republican-dominated legislature remain the norm, that party will be exhibiting for all the depth of conservative ideology that they claim to embrace. The NC LS will score elected officials in the future and rate their performance as stewards of the citizens tax dollars and interests.   


Governor - 


Pat McCrory is by far not the most conservative nominee for governor the Republicans have put up in some time.  That being said he offers a great number of policy solutions that will wittingly or not, promote North Carolina sovereignty.  The first recommendation is that North Carolina nullify Obamacare by an act of the General Assembly with the Governor's support.  The second is McCrory's insistence on passing a Voter ID Bill that will allow us to police our own elections and not the federal Justice Department.  Lastly is McCrory's willingness to push for offshore drilling which will give North Carolina access to essential energy sources that will make us less dependent on others and especially DC for our survival.  Democrat Walter Dalton has been a quiet Lt. Governor with little to recommend him to the position of governor.

Lt. Governor - 

Dan Forest is by far the greatest source of hope for liberty lovers and those desiring a strong North Carolina.  He is an ardent Tea Party conservative and very well schooled on the 10th Amendment.  He promises to push for nullification of unconstitutional federal policies and to combat the Third World invasion by battling illegal immigration via implementation of the 287g program in all 100 counties.  Of all the Council of State candidates he is the best hope for the future if he wins this election.

Secretary of State - 

Ed Goodwin is a solid conservative running against perhaps the most left-wing member of the Council of State, Elaine Marshall.  The incumbent, Marshall, has steadily opposed a voter ID law in North Carolina and asserts that there is no voter fraud occurring in our State; Goodwin is a true citizen patriot and a 5th generation farmer from Edenton.  

North Carolina Treasurer - 

Steve Royal is right up with Dan Forest in terms of his devotion to liberty and his opposition to the status quo.  Unfortunately he has been all but written off by the NCGOP for both his views and his inability to raise funds.  According to Royal, the State GOP has all but endorsed his Democratic opponent and turned a blind eye to his requests for campaign funding, a clear indication that he is too conservative for the liberals in the NC GOP. He needs our help as much as anyone to end the risky management of our State's pension funds in the stock market.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner –

Farmer and former insurance salesman Mike Causey of Guilford County is challenging incumbent Democrat Wayne Goodwin of Stanly County to lead the State’s insurance department.  Causey as a private citizen successfully lobbied the State legislature to make it easier for customers to get their vehicles repaired at shops they choose. This helped smaller repair shops compete against larger repair chains favored by underwriters. Goodwin has received praise from conservative organizations in the past.  

North Carolina Supreme Court - 

Next to the presidential and gubernatorial contest this is the most importance race in North Carolina.  Justice Paul Newby is running for another term on the court at a time when it is a 5-4 conservative balance.  Were Newby to lose then we would see most sovereignty and 10th Amendment issues being argued before a left wing court.  This race deserves our utmost effort.

US Congressional District 3 - 

Walter Jones is in the same league as Ron Paul in his devotion to the Constitution and his willingness to buck the traditional party mold.  An ardent foe of foreign adventurism, abortion, illegal immigration, and free trade, Rep. Jones is perhaps the best Congressional candidate in the state.

US Congressional District 7 -

Republican challenger David Rouzer opposes longtime Democrat Mike McIntyre in this race, the latter patterns himself as a conservative Democrat but expectedly demonstrates clear support for Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi.  While no deeply-ingrained conservatism of the Nathaniel Macon variety seems to flow in Mr. Rouzer’s veins, unseating a liberal Democrat in North Carolina may be worth holding our noses.

US Congressional District 11 - 

Mark Meadows is a patriot in the same mold as our Founders.  A devoted Christian and ardent constitutionalist, Mark is like Walter Jones in the sense that he is willing to buck the traditional Republican tenets if they violate his conservative principles.  

NC Senate District 8 -

First-term Republican incumbent Bill Rabun faces political newcomer and Marine veteran Danny Hefner, a Democrat. Hefner states that Rabun has not done enough to create jobs in Brunswick County, and wants to reverse the education cuts made by the Republican-controlled legislature.  The Civitas 2011 Conservative Effectiveness Rating gave Rabun an “A” rating.  Of recent note, Rabun has refused to endorse fellow Republican David Rouzer (above), claiming that the “ugly campaigning” concerns him.

NC Senate District 9 -

Thom Goolsby is the incumbent Republican and challenged by Republican Deb Butler. Senator Goolsby opposes illegal immigration, and supports reduction of the gas tax, charter schools and homeschooling efforts. Democrat Deb Butler has received the endorsement of the NC teachers union, National Organization of Women, Pro-Choice America, and Equality America.  An admitted lesbian, Butler opposed Amendment One and receives campaign donations from the gay and lesbian Victory Fund.

Goolsby’s only blemish in office has been voting to pardon impeached Radical Republican Governor William W. Holden in 1870, and overlooking Holden’s corrupt regime which defrauded North Carolina citizens.

NC Senate District 13 -

Michael Waters was appointed to the NC Senate to represent Columbus and Robeson counties by Governor Perdue in 2009, then elected one year later. He has been endorsed by the North Carolina Educators Association, National Federation of Small Business, and State Employees Association. Waters is opposed by Republican W. Bernhard White of Whiteville, a free market advocate who wants anti-union “right to work” language written into the North Carolina constitution. White appears to be the conservative candidate in this race.

NC Senate District 19 -

Republican incumbent Wesley Meredith faces Democrat George Tatum in District 19 which encompasses eastern Cumberland county and parts of Fayetteville and Hope Mills. A stubbornly-high unemployment rate is a large issue which Meredith feels will be allayed by policies of tax cuts and reduced regulation favorable to small businesses. Tatum criticizes the Republican legislature for cutting education, feeling that education encourages companies to locate in North Carolina. Meredith supports the current right to work status of North Carolina, Tatum feels that workers have a right to a quality of life after a hard day’s work, suggesting he is pro-labor union. This is a Democrat-leaning district and Meredith is considered vulnerable.


NC Senate District 30 -

This race is a renewal of the 2010 race with incumbent Republican Don East facing challenger Ric Marshall, a Democrat. Redistricting has left the District with Surry, Stokes and Wilkes Counties, moving Allegany and Yadkin out, and favoring Republicans.  Marshall opposes fracking, pro-abortion, and feels more money should be spent on education in the State; East supports fracking, is anti-abortion, and has stated that “I don’t believe a dollar bill has ever taught a child anything.” Marshall believes that as a legislator, he can lure jobs to the State; East indicates that he supports economic incentives since other States are committed to luring companies with tax monies.

NC Senate District 34 - 

Senator Andrew Brock is a solid patriot who is a staunch supporter of our State's Christian and conservative traditions.  He is also seriously devoted to reducing federal interference in North Carolinian's daily lives.

NC Senate District 38 - 

Richard Rivette is a liberty candidate in the mold of the Tea Party and Ron Paul.  With Glen Bradley's defeat in his Senate primary, Mr. Rivette is probably the best chance for electing a true liberty candidate to the NC Senate.

NC House 3 -

Beaufort county commissioner and Democrat Robert Cayton states that “education, transportation [and] economic development” are issues directly affecting the future of rural North Carolina. This district is comprised of Pamlico, much of Beaufort, and the eastern half of Craven counties. His challenger is Illinois-native, former Marine and Republican Michael Speciale who has won distinction as an advocate for eastern several North Carolina Tea Party groups. He is a founder of the Coastal Carolina Taxpayers Association which fights for lower taxation, and feels that the federal government has no constitutional  authority over education.

NC House 6 -

The 2011 State legislature created this new district which has Dare County Democrat Paul Tine opposing Dare County Republican Mattie Lawson.  Tine supports the heavily-subsidized State ferry system and heads a nonprofit organization funded with Golden Leaf Foundation and federal stimulus money.  Lawson helped found the Tea Party of the Outer Banks, supports “limited government, lower taxes, and the founding principles.”

NC House 14 - 

George Cleveland is one of the most conservative members of the Republican caucus.  He is a very passionate opponent of illegal immigration in our State and a fierce proponent of State sovereignty measures.

NC House 18 - 

Since our previous Guide, Republican Louis R. Harmati has reversed his conservative position against film company incentives and now states that they are needed to reduce unemployment. There now appears to be little if any difference between the two candidates. Harmati is challenging incumbent Democrat Susi Hamilton, the latter being a film industry incentives booster and has earned top rating and support from the NAACP.  She has recently come under fire publicly for supporting film industry incentives and renting her personal property to film companies receiving State assistance. No conservative candidate is apparent in this race.

NC House 19 - 
Republican Rep. Danny McComas has resigned and former New Hanover county commissioner Ted Davis has been appointed for the remainder of his term. Republican Davis is contending for the seat against Democrat Emilie Swearingen.  The Democrat candidate will fight the Republican reform of education, and “promotes easy access to health care, child care, education, birth control, equal pay for women, and keep government out of our personal lives.”  Davis recently voted for his county to accept a birth control grant from the State.

NC House 20 - 

This is a newly-formed district and the result of redistricting by the Republican-dominated legislature. Current New Hanover county commissioner Rick Catlin is an environmental engineer running against Democrat Tom Gale.  Catlin’s publicly-stated positions include repealing Obamacare, maintaining capital punishment and he supported Amendment One. 

NC House 35 - 

This Wake County contest between current school board member and Republican Chris Malone, and former school board member (2005-2009) and Democrat Lori Millberg. Both candidates have cited education and employment as voters foremost concerns, with Malone noting that the growth of government is troubling. Millberg has stated that “We’re on the brink of a recovery,” but “education cuts made by Republican lawmaker have exacerbated unemployment.” Malone supports lifting the cap on charter schools and encouraging local school innovation.     

NC House 45 - 

Political newcomer and Democrat Eddie Dees, educator and former mayor of Hope Mills in Cumberland County, has received the endorsement of the North Carolina Educators Association-PAC.  He is opposed by Republican John David Szoka who opposes Obamacare, feels that lowering taxes will create a favorable employment environment, and has earned a “B+” grade from the NRA.  Of note to conservatives, Szoka refused to answer issue questions from Project Vote Smart’s Political Courage Test.

NC House 58 - 

Redistricting has made this district more country and less city, removing a large chunk of Guilford county and adding parts of western and northwestern Greensboro. Veteran incumbent Alma Adams faces Republican challenger Olga Morgan Wright in this race.  Wright has not mounted a serious intellectual challenge to Adams tenure but feels that she will do more for education in North Carolina, claiming that our current system is archaic.  Neither candidate seems to have conservative ideals or credentials.


NC House 65 - 

Bert Jones is only a recent convert to the GOP, having won his seat as an independent.  As such, he presents himself as very conservative and an outside-the-box thinker in approaches to both State and federal issues.

NC House 74 - 

This open seat has Democrat David Wayne Moore running for his first public office against Republican Debra Conrad, a Forsyth County commissioner for 18 years.  Conrad claims to have a conservative record, though her past support of economic incentives (speculating with tax dollars) to lure businesses contradicts this.  Moore has a full load of personal bankruptcy, domestic violence protective orders, and past-due child support issues to explain. 

NC House 79 - 

Incumbent Republican Julia Howard faces former teacher and Democrat Christina Vasquez, who cites voter concerns about too little money being spent on education in North Carolina.  Vasquez moved to NC from a union State and believes teachers elsewhere “had more rights and protection than they do here.”  Howard supports fracking, Vasquez opposes this due to concerns about the environment.  Howard holds an anti-abortion position while Vasquez believes it is a federal question.  Vasquez is vague on the question of economic incentives; Howard supports North Carolina competing with other States to lure business though tax breaks. 

NC House 85 - 

Mitch Gillespie is a staunch conservative and major proponent of energy development in North Carolina.  He has led the fight to remove unnecessary regulations from the books in State government and is in a key position of leadership in the GOP caucus.

NC House 87 - 

Edgar Starnes is probably the last true paleo-conservative in the NC House.  He is a frequent sponsor of the important Monument Protection Act which preserves North Carolina heritage and culture, and hangs a picture of Mississippi Senator and American President Jefferson Davis on the wall of his Raleigh office.  

NC Supreme Court Non-Partisan Race

If one votes straight party ticket they will not have voted in this race which is near the end of the long ballot.
The two candidates are incumbent North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Paul Newby, a Republican, but not listed as such.  He is challenged by North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Sam Ervin, IV, a Democrat, but not listed as such, and grandson of Senator Sam Ervin.
Currently the Republicans have a 4-3 majority on the State Supreme Court. If Ervin wins, it will switch to a 4-3 Democrat-majority which can undo all the Republican legislature has passed during this last term. This would include the recent legislative redistricting.
Though polls show a likely McCrory win as well as a likely Republican State House and Senate, they would lose the State Supreme Court should Ervin win. With at least 5 pending legislative reform lawsuits from this term, expect many more with a Democrat-majority court.

North Carolina Libertarian Candidates for Office:

Our recommendation when both Republican and Democrat candidates appear equally opposed to traditional-conservative State governance is to strongly consider voting for a Libertarian candidate.  While the LP may not mesh perfectly with the ideals and goals of traditional-conservatism, the Libertarian will be far more resistant to federal encroachment into our personal lives and State affairs.

Additionally, a general rule of thumb is to vote against any candidates endorsed by the Charlotte Observer, Raleigh News and Observer, and Wilmington Star News. 

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