Senate candidate

brews up Boone stop
By Leigh Coker Mullinax
Special to the Watauga Democrat

Jim Neal, a Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, made a coffee stop in Boone last Saturday.

Neal met with residents of the High Country at Espresso News in Boone on March 15, with around 15- 20 people attending the 3 p.m. meeting, including teachers, college students, nurses, retired citizens, business owners and even Boone mayor Loretta Clawson.

Neal wanted to meet in Boone for several reasons.

“I am running to be a public servant…working for all the people of North Carolina. And all does not mean just people that just live on the I-85/I-40 corridor,” Neal said.

Neal is running what he calls a “grassroots” campaign, trying to have as many “meet and greets” as possible.

Neal said he wants to earn the trust of people of all walks of life, and at every place he has gone, both small town and larger cities, he has learned something new from the people. By the end of his campaign, he hopes to reach an excess of 70 counties.

“How can I go to Washington and represent the voices of the people of this state, if I do not go out and hear them, and that’s what I’m trying to do,” Neal said. “I want to come and hear people’s hopes, fears, and dreams.”

Neal believes that there are three values that are not only North Carolinian values, but American values that transcend gender, as well as generations: fair play, opportunity, and equality.

During the meeting, Neal made it was clear that he wanted to hear the people of the High Country talk about issues that were important to them and what they thought about the issues that he backed. This led to several discussions between Neal and the group, as well as discussions and debates within the group. These discussions included policies about “No Child Left Behind,” when troops will be coming home, alternative energy sources, the value of the dollar and social investment.

Neal became involved in politics at eight years of age, when he helped pass out fliers for the Lyndon B. Johnson campaign. Although this is his first time running for any political office, he has always wanted to run. He has worked in all aspects of campaigning and believes that his background in investment banking and economics gives him an advantage in campaigning for office. He wants the government to work for North Carolina citizens, not just special interests.

Sarah Moncelle, a senior at Appalachian State University and a member of the College Democrats party, said Neal “embodies the values and traditions of the Democratic body…looking out for the small guy.”