Thursday, February 25, 2010
Craig Weber for Congress
Many of you have been anxiously waiting to see if indeed Craig was going to file for Congress again. He ran in both 2006 & 2008 as the Democratic nominee and had suggested to many including directly to me that he in fact going to file in 2010. Well ladies and gentlemen, he did. Per the SBOE website (http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/GetDocument.aspx?id=2268 ) Craig filed today to run against Walter Jones Jr. (again) in the NC 3rd Congressional District as a REPUBLICAN. He joins Bob Cavanaugh (also from Carteret County) in the GOP primary against Jones Jr. Johnny Rouse is the only Dem candidate.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Basnight files for re-election
State Sen. Marc Basnight, D-Dare, filed to run for re-election Tuesday morning, ending speculation about his immediate political future.
The longtime Senate leader, who has been diagnosed with a rare nerve disorder, has been plagued by questions about his health and speculation that he would not be a candidate this year.
Though he had confirmed that he would run again, Basnight’s filing removed all lingering doubt about whether he would try for another term in the Senate.
The filing news was doubly significant because it is expected that Basnight will have opposition this year.
“I am running again to serve the people and if they see fit to re-elect me, I will continue to serve them as I have done in the past,” Basnight says in a written statement released to the media.
“I will focus on creating jobs and the economy through a stronger educational foundation, being very conscious of how difficult it is on the personal economy of our people.”
Basnight directly represents all or part of eight northeastern counties, including Hyde and Beaufort counties.
On Monday, Hood Richardson, a Republican Beaufort County commissioner, confirmed that he plans to challenge Basnight.
“This guy is beatable,” Richardson said.
Richardson said his candidacy isn’t motivated by questions about Basnight’s health or by the announced departures or retirements of other high-level Democratic senators.
Asked how he plans to compete with the well-funded Manteo Democrat in terms of fundraising, the Washington Republican said, “As best I can the way campaign finance is.”
In past elections Basnight has enjoyed a roughly million-dollar-plus campaign war chest, but he gave much of his money to the state Democratic Party two years ago.
Campaign-finance reports show that he had $309,827 in cash on hand at the end of 2009.
Some Beaufort County Democrats believe that Basnight’s power could be used to benefit Beaufort County more than it has in the past.
“He’s done some things for us, but he could do more,” said Jerry Langley, chairman of the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners. “I’d like to see him do more things for Beaufort County. It’s like the Janet Jackson song ‘What Have You Done for Me Lately?’”
State Rep. Arthur Williams, D-Beaufort, has offered his unqualified support to Basnight.
“I worked for Sen. (Ed) Warren (D-Pitt) for 10 or 12 years,” Williams said. “I’ve never said much about this. At (Warren’s) funeral, I came out upset and Sen. Basnight was there. I was new going to Raleigh.”
According to Williams, Basnight told him, “Anything you need going to Raleigh — I know you’re new — you take up with my staff, and if they can’t handle it, you let me know.”
Calling Basnight a personal friend, Williams added, “I think one of the biggest advantages that I’ve had in Raleigh is that I’ve had his staff. He’s got about eight or 10 people on his staff, and I’ve got one.”
Asked about Basnight’s decision to file, Tom Richter, mayor of Washington Park, said, “There’s no doubt in my mind that this is a good thing for eastern North Carolina and for Beaufort County. The long tenure and power that the senator has wielded for decades is going to stand Beaufort County and eastern North Carolina in very good stead.”
Williams has a good working relationship with Basnight and his staff, which also is important for Beaufort County, Richter said.
State Rep. Tim Spear, D-Washington, echoed the plaudits for Basnight, who also represents Washington County.
“Sen. Basnight is a good, close friend and a truly remarkable public servant,” Spear said. “His vision and leadership has carried North Carolina forward not only locally or in eastern North Carolina but across the entire state. He’s been a champion of the people, and I’m certain he will continue to be when re-elected.”
REPRINTED FROM THE WASHINGTON DAILY NEWS
By JONATHAN CLAYBORNE
and BETTY MITCHELL GRAY
Published: Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The longtime Senate leader, who has been diagnosed with a rare nerve disorder, has been plagued by questions about his health and speculation that he would not be a candidate this year.
Though he had confirmed that he would run again, Basnight’s filing removed all lingering doubt about whether he would try for another term in the Senate.
The filing news was doubly significant because it is expected that Basnight will have opposition this year.
“I am running again to serve the people and if they see fit to re-elect me, I will continue to serve them as I have done in the past,” Basnight says in a written statement released to the media.
“I will focus on creating jobs and the economy through a stronger educational foundation, being very conscious of how difficult it is on the personal economy of our people.”
Basnight directly represents all or part of eight northeastern counties, including Hyde and Beaufort counties.
On Monday, Hood Richardson, a Republican Beaufort County commissioner, confirmed that he plans to challenge Basnight.
“This guy is beatable,” Richardson said.
Richardson said his candidacy isn’t motivated by questions about Basnight’s health or by the announced departures or retirements of other high-level Democratic senators.
Asked how he plans to compete with the well-funded Manteo Democrat in terms of fundraising, the Washington Republican said, “As best I can the way campaign finance is.”
In past elections Basnight has enjoyed a roughly million-dollar-plus campaign war chest, but he gave much of his money to the state Democratic Party two years ago.
Campaign-finance reports show that he had $309,827 in cash on hand at the end of 2009.
Some Beaufort County Democrats believe that Basnight’s power could be used to benefit Beaufort County more than it has in the past.
“He’s done some things for us, but he could do more,” said Jerry Langley, chairman of the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners. “I’d like to see him do more things for Beaufort County. It’s like the Janet Jackson song ‘What Have You Done for Me Lately?’”
State Rep. Arthur Williams, D-Beaufort, has offered his unqualified support to Basnight.
“I worked for Sen. (Ed) Warren (D-Pitt) for 10 or 12 years,” Williams said. “I’ve never said much about this. At (Warren’s) funeral, I came out upset and Sen. Basnight was there. I was new going to Raleigh.”
According to Williams, Basnight told him, “Anything you need going to Raleigh — I know you’re new — you take up with my staff, and if they can’t handle it, you let me know.”
Calling Basnight a personal friend, Williams added, “I think one of the biggest advantages that I’ve had in Raleigh is that I’ve had his staff. He’s got about eight or 10 people on his staff, and I’ve got one.”
Asked about Basnight’s decision to file, Tom Richter, mayor of Washington Park, said, “There’s no doubt in my mind that this is a good thing for eastern North Carolina and for Beaufort County. The long tenure and power that the senator has wielded for decades is going to stand Beaufort County and eastern North Carolina in very good stead.”
Williams has a good working relationship with Basnight and his staff, which also is important for Beaufort County, Richter said.
State Rep. Tim Spear, D-Washington, echoed the plaudits for Basnight, who also represents Washington County.
“Sen. Basnight is a good, close friend and a truly remarkable public servant,” Spear said. “His vision and leadership has carried North Carolina forward not only locally or in eastern North Carolina but across the entire state. He’s been a champion of the people, and I’m certain he will continue to be when re-elected.”
REPRINTED FROM THE WASHINGTON DAILY NEWS
By JONATHAN CLAYBORNE
and BETTY MITCHELL GRAY
Published: Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Economic Recovery
One year ago tomorrow, after tens of thousands of you shared stories and called your representatives, the President signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
And while this anniversary isn't a cause for celebration, there is reason to be optimistic. This chart makes it clear: We're on the road to recovery.
Still, we know there is a long way to go. Many Americans are still struggling, and creating jobs remains President Obama's top priority.
Click here to learn more about the President's record on the economy, what we're doing to put more Americans back to work, and get easy-to-share information you can pass on to friends and family:
http://my.barackobama.com/Recovery
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Rouse runs for Congress
Johnny Rouse, former Chair of the Pitt County Democratic Party, filed to run for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District on Friday, February 12th. Rouse was born in Kinston, NC and raised in Greene County. He is an Air Force veteran, with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a Master’s degree in International Studies, both from East Carolina University. He is a small business owner and works at the Brody School of Medicine. When asked why he plans to run, Rouse says, “It is not about party, it’s about people. The US Congress has settled into the ideological camps where party allegiance is more important than the people of their districts, and Washington insiders run it all. A Congressman should be responsive to the district. Too many of the decisions from Education to Agriculture come from Washington in the form of dictates. Our seed is being sown among thorns, and our yield is being choked by Washington bureaucrats who think they know what is best for us.” Rouse is determined to be an advocate for rural America and Coastal North Carolina.
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