Election 2008:

File in the blanks
By Scott Nicholson
nicholson@wataugademocrat.com

Election season got off to a brisk start as a number of incumbents crowded the Watauga County Board of Elections office to officially file for 2008 races.

Candidates filled out paperwork, paid their filing fees and received campaign handbooks as the filing period opened at noon Monday.

U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-5), N.C. Sen. Steve Goss (D-45) and N.C. Rep. Cullie Tarleton (D-93) were among the first to file, with a Boone man also filing to run for state Senate.

Foxx, a two-term incumbent, said she was running for at least one more term. “It’s a great honor to represent the people of the Fifth District,” she said.

“I’m ready, willing, able and energized for at least one more term. I get positive feedback from the public on the work I’ve done so far, and that inspires me to keep doing what I’m doing.”

Foxx said she would continue to support the military and National Guard “who are working to keep us free,” saying that was her most important duty.

Democrat Roy Carter filed in Ashe County for the Fifth District U.S. Congressional seat. Carter, a former teacher and coach, announced in the fall that he would be running for the office. Former Iredell County commissioner Diane Hamby, a Democrat, has also announced a run for the seat.

Tarleton, a Democrat whose district covers Watauga and Ashe counties, said, “I enjoyed my first term and I think I did a good job representing the people of the 93rd District. I’ll continue to work on things important to the district and the state. I wanted to file on Day One because I wanted to let folks know I was running for reelection. Now the campaign starts.”

Democrat Goss’s district covers Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany and Wilkes counties, and he said, “I believe that I’ve worked really hard and the leadership has given me key positions. If reelected, I will be able to build on what I’ve been doing to help the community as much as possible. I’ve been working in a bipartisan way to accomplish more for this district and the state of North Carolina.”

Boone dentist Jerry Butler filed to challenge Goss as a Republican candidate for state senate, saying it was his first run for public office, though he has been planning the race for three years.

“I’ve been complaining for too long and it’s time to take some action,” he said. “Things are changing a little bit more quickly than we can adapt to them.”

Butler said the education system is failing because more than 30 percent of high school students drop out before graduation and he said those people were at risk of being labeled “failures” for life. He said he would establish an advisory committee of educators and teachers to address the issue, and also said lowering of corporate taxes would stimulate business expansion and create more jobs.

JoAnn Townsend, Republican incumbent Register of Deeds for Watauga County, said she was filing for a second term because she enjoys her office and staff. “I feel like we’re doing a good job,” she said.

Democratic commissioner Jim Deal filed for a second term, saying he was still committed to education. “We want to finish building the (new) high school the right way and continue our long-term plan for taking care of all the schools,” he said.

Deal said he also supports expanding business opportunities through entrepreneurial programs and the renovation of the Appalachian Enterprise Center as a business incubator and economic-development resource.

He also supports more recreational opportunities throughout the county. Deal is running for the District III county commission seat.

Incumbent commissioner Winston Kinsey filed for reelection in District V. “In my years as a county commissioner, I have learned that good government starts at the local level, and that local government must work hand-in-hand with state and federal government. Especially this year, we have serious challenges at all levels of government. Citizens and elected officials must work collaboratively to address and solve these problems and I am excited about being part of this journey.”

Candidates were given information on tracking campaign finances, as well as state statutes regarding littering and use of campaign signs. The election guide consists of basic campaign and election dates, local sign ordinances, lists of elected officials, sample forms and precinct-by-precinct voting tables from the last six General Elections.

Filing period for 2008 campaigns ends at noon on Feb. 29. Other seats that are open include the District I county commission seat, three school board seats, and a Soil and Water Conservation District board seat.
The primary is May 6 and general election is Nov. 4.