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.
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