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Yadkin
Candidate Profiles
- U.S. Congressional 5th District
- N.C. Senate 30th District
- N.C. House 74th District
- County Commissioner
Foxx, Harrell both say that health care is a priority in campaign in the 5th District
COMPILED BY THEO HELM
Voters will select a new U.S. Congressman in the 5th District on Tuesday for the first time in 10 years.
Rep. Richard Burr decided to run for Sen. John Edwards’ seat in the U.S. Senate, leaving an open House seat and drawing many candidates — especially among Republicans.
The district covers all or parts of 12 counties and stretches west from Rockingham County through suburban Forsyth County to Watauga County.
The district has been reliably Republican for the past 10 years.
State Sen. Virginia Foxx, the Republican candidate, emerged from a crowded field of eight candidates in a race that was known for its negativity.
Surry County Commissioner Jim Harrell Jr., the Democratic candidate, defeated two candidates in a much quieter Democratic primary.
The campaign between the two candidates has stayed positive — and comparatively quiet until recently.
Virginia Foxx
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: U.S. House, 5th District
Party: Republican
Home address: 11468 Hwy. 105 South, Banner Elk
Date of birth: June 29, 1943
Education: Ed.D. in curriculum and teaching, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; M.A.C.T in sociology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; A.B. in English, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Occupation: N.C Senator, nursery and landscaping business owner, former educator
Family: Married with one daughter and two grandchildren
Political experience: Member of N.C. Senate, 1995-present; Deputy Secretary for Management in the N.C. Department of Administration, 1985-1987; Watauga County Board of Education, 1976-1988
What makes you best qualified: I am a hardworking, down-to-earth person who puts service to others above self.
I have strong values, experience as a legislator, successful business experience and experience in helping constituents. I have spent my adult life working to make our area a better place.
My record proves that I will continue to fight for our conservative values.
Top priority if elected: I pledge 100 percent effort to winning the war on terror, protecting our borders, stopping illegal aliens, and bringing home our troops as victorious champions of democracy.
In addition, I want to make health care affordable to every American through much needed reform rather than a government-sponsored program.
Party: Republican
Home address: 11468 Hwy. 105 South, Banner Elk
Date of birth: June 29, 1943
Education: Ed.D. in curriculum and teaching, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; M.A.C.T in sociology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; A.B. in English, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Occupation: N.C Senator, nursery and landscaping business owner, former educator
Family: Married with one daughter and two grandchildren
Political experience: Member of N.C. Senate, 1995-present; Deputy Secretary for Management in the N.C. Department of Administration, 1985-1987; Watauga County Board of Education, 1976-1988
What makes you best qualified: I am a hardworking, down-to-earth person who puts service to others above self.
I have strong values, experience as a legislator, successful business experience and experience in helping constituents. I have spent my adult life working to make our area a better place.
My record proves that I will continue to fight for our conservative values.
Top priority if elected: I pledge 100 percent effort to winning the war on terror, protecting our borders, stopping illegal aliens, and bringing home our troops as victorious champions of democracy.
In addition, I want to make health care affordable to every American through much needed reform rather than a government-sponsored program.
Jim Harrell Jr.
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: U.S. House, 5th District
Party: Democrat
Home address: 480 Hawthorne Road, Elkin
Date of birth: Dec. 15, 1946
Education: B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1969; Doctor of Dental Surgery, Medical College of Virginia, 1973
Occupation: Dentist
Family: Wife, Barbara Hudson Harrell; sons, Jim III, Matt, Chris
Political experience: Surry County Commissioner, 1990-present, chairman, 1999-2000 (elected to 4 consecutive terms); chairman, American Dental Association Council on Governmental Affairs, 2003-04
What makes you best qualified: My leadership style is one of building consensus in order to find creative, positive solutions.
This combined with the fact that I have advocated for health-care reform in Congress for the last two years as an ADA committee chair, and my varied background in health care, business, economic development and community affairs makes me better qualified to serve.
Top priority if elected: The most important issue today is lack of affordable, quality, health care for all.
It affects young and old, individuals and businesses alike, and it is wreaking havoc with our federal, state and county budgets.
Currently there are approximately 45 million uninsured Americans, a number equal to the population of 23 states. That is unacceptable.
Party: Democrat
Home address: 480 Hawthorne Road, Elkin
Date of birth: Dec. 15, 1946
Education: B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1969; Doctor of Dental Surgery, Medical College of Virginia, 1973
Occupation: Dentist
Family: Wife, Barbara Hudson Harrell; sons, Jim III, Matt, Chris
Political experience: Surry County Commissioner, 1990-present, chairman, 1999-2000 (elected to 4 consecutive terms); chairman, American Dental Association Council on Governmental Affairs, 2003-04
What makes you best qualified: My leadership style is one of building consensus in order to find creative, positive solutions.
This combined with the fact that I have advocated for health-care reform in Congress for the last two years as an ADA committee chair, and my varied background in health care, business, economic development and community affairs makes me better qualified to serve.
Top priority if elected: The most important issue today is lack of affordable, quality, health care for all.
It affects young and old, individuals and businesses alike, and it is wreaking havoc with our federal, state and county budgets.
Currently there are approximately 45 million uninsured Americans, a number equal to the population of 23 states. That is unacceptable.
Former colleagues face each other in Senate District 30
COMPLIED BY LAURA GIOVANELLI
Republican Don East, a former state senator, and Democrat Melvin Jackson, a former Surry County commissioner, will run to represent Surry, Stokes, Yadkin and Alleghany counties in the new N.C. Senate District 30.
The two men were once Surry County commissioners together but have vastly different opinions about education, a potential state lottery and taxes.
Don W. East
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: N.C. Senate, District 30
Party: Republican
Home address: 971 Longhill Road, Pilot Mountain
Date of birth: Dec. 26, 1944
Education: High school, community college.
Occupation: Retired police officer
Family: Married with one daughter and two grandsons
Political experience: Two terms as a county commissioner, 1984-92, three terms in N.C. Senate, 1994-2000.
What makes you best qualified: My past history as a police officer, my experience as a county commissioner and state senator gives me unique insight into the problems of Northwest North Carolina such as crime, job losses, more expensive health care, school funding and building needs
Top priority if elected: Attempt to urge the state to repent from its dubious distinction of being the highest taxed state in the Southeast. Gently nudge the legislature and governor to cut costs and reduce taxes and regulation on the hard-working people of North Carolina, thereby creating a more business-friendly climate which will stimulate the economy and provide for job growth and business investment.
Party: Republican
Home address: 971 Longhill Road, Pilot Mountain
Date of birth: Dec. 26, 1944
Education: High school, community college.
Occupation: Retired police officer
Family: Married with one daughter and two grandsons
Political experience: Two terms as a county commissioner, 1984-92, three terms in N.C. Senate, 1994-2000.
What makes you best qualified: My past history as a police officer, my experience as a county commissioner and state senator gives me unique insight into the problems of Northwest North Carolina such as crime, job losses, more expensive health care, school funding and building needs
Top priority if elected: Attempt to urge the state to repent from its dubious distinction of being the highest taxed state in the Southeast. Gently nudge the legislature and governor to cut costs and reduce taxes and regulation on the hard-working people of North Carolina, thereby creating a more business-friendly climate which will stimulate the economy and provide for job growth and business investment.
Melvin T. Jackson
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: N.C. Senate, District 30
Party: Democrat
Home address: 499 Jackson Road, Mount Airy
Date of Birth: Aug. 10, 1948
Education: N.C. A&T State University, Wilson Technology Institute
Occupation: RMC/Metro-mont, sales representative, Mount Airy; retired educator, North Surry High School, Mount Airy
Family: Married with five children and six grandchildren.
Political experience: Elected to two terms as Surry County Commissioner, four years as vice-chairman of District 18 N.C. Association of County Commissioners; Northwest Piedmont Job Training Consortium, vice-chairman of the Surry County Planning Board; president, board of directors of Mount Airy Rescue Squad; advisory board to State Employees’ Credit Union
What makes you best qualified: I’ve never met a stranger and talk easily with all types of people. My common-sense approach to government well represents my constituents. I share their attitudes about issues affecting our area. Because of my teaching experience and with government/community links, I can work effectively with diverse personalities from all political parties.
Top priority if elected: We need immediate changes to improve the job market in our district. A realistic incentive package to help new and existing small businesses is a must. Sales-tax options and a state lottery to benefit education are also immediate concerns. Health care is another major issue for our area.
Party: Democrat
Home address: 499 Jackson Road, Mount Airy
Date of Birth: Aug. 10, 1948
Education: N.C. A&T State University, Wilson Technology Institute
Occupation: RMC/Metro-mont, sales representative, Mount Airy; retired educator, North Surry High School, Mount Airy
Family: Married with five children and six grandchildren.
Political experience: Elected to two terms as Surry County Commissioner, four years as vice-chairman of District 18 N.C. Association of County Commissioners; Northwest Piedmont Job Training Consortium, vice-chairman of the Surry County Planning Board; president, board of directors of Mount Airy Rescue Squad; advisory board to State Employees’ Credit Union
What makes you best qualified: I’ve never met a stranger and talk easily with all types of people. My common-sense approach to government well represents my constituents. I share their attitudes about issues affecting our area. Because of my teaching experience and with government/community links, I can work effectively with diverse personalities from all political parties.
Top priority if elected: We need immediate changes to improve the job market in our district. A realistic incentive package to help new and existing small businesses is a must. Sales-tax options and a state lottery to benefit education are also immediate concerns. Health care is another major issue for our area.
74th District candidates vie for new seat in district
COMPILED BY PAUL GARBER
The candidates for the 74th District of the N.C. House are vying for a new seat that was created by redistricting.
Both Democrat Tom Brandon and Republican Dale Folwell ran for the 93rd House seat in 2002, but both lost in the primary. Folwell is a former member of the Winston-Salem/
Forsyth County School Board. Brandon is a former member of the Yadkin County school board and board of commissioners.
The 74th House District covers parts of Forsyth County.
Tom Brandon
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: N.C. House, District 74
Party: Democrat
Home address: 161 Buckingham Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104
Date of Birth: Oct. 1, 1942
Education: B.A., Western Carolina University
Occupation: President, W. N. Ireland Insurance Agency Inc.
Family: Married with three children and four grandchildren
Political experience: Former Yadkin County school-board member, former Yadkin County Commissioner
What makes you best qualified: As a county commissioner, school-board member and business owner for 40 years, I have treated all political, ethnic, social and religious groups with respect. Intolerance has no place in our society. I would ably represent the interests of all my constituents. This makes me more qualified to serve.
Top priority if elected: Education is the engine of economic growth in North Carolina, and there is no higher priority than providing public schools with the funding they need to excel. This is why I support a statewide lottery for education. Boosting education will drive our economy and make the future brighter for everyone.
Party: Democrat
Home address: 161 Buckingham Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104
Date of Birth: Oct. 1, 1942
Education: B.A., Western Carolina University
Occupation: President, W. N. Ireland Insurance Agency Inc.
Family: Married with three children and four grandchildren
Political experience: Former Yadkin County school-board member, former Yadkin County Commissioner
What makes you best qualified: As a county commissioner, school-board member and business owner for 40 years, I have treated all political, ethnic, social and religious groups with respect. Intolerance has no place in our society. I would ably represent the interests of all my constituents. This makes me more qualified to serve.
Top priority if elected: Education is the engine of economic growth in North Carolina, and there is no higher priority than providing public schools with the funding they need to excel. This is why I support a statewide lottery for education. Boosting education will drive our economy and make the future brighter for everyone.
Dale Folwell
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: N.C. House, District 74
Party: Republican
Home address: 299 S. Westview Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27104
Date of Birth: Dec. 17, 1958
Education: B.S. and M.S. in accountancy, UNC Greensboro
Occupation: Consultant and private investor
Family: Married with two children.
Political experience: Served eight years on Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education; graduate, N.C. Institute of Political Leadership
What makes you best qualified: My lifelong educational, public-service, occupational, community and care-giving experiences make me uniquely qualified to serve Winston-Salem in the N.C. House. Best qualified also means most effective. I enjoy the challenge of tackling complex issues and don’t mind if someone else gets the credit. I have signed and honored the no PAC/lobbyist pledge, and I will honor the no salary contract if I don’t fulfill my promise to my employer. (The voter!)
Top priority if elected: It costs too much to live and do business in North Carolina. This is a direct result of the state’s budget, which has grown at a rate of three times the inflation rate for the past several years. My top priority is to lower taxes by shrinking state government. North Carolina doesn’t have a revenue problem. It has a spending problem.
Party: Republican
Home address: 299 S. Westview Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27104
Date of Birth: Dec. 17, 1958
Education: B.S. and M.S. in accountancy, UNC Greensboro
Occupation: Consultant and private investor
Family: Married with two children.
Political experience: Served eight years on Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education; graduate, N.C. Institute of Political Leadership
What makes you best qualified: My lifelong educational, public-service, occupational, community and care-giving experiences make me uniquely qualified to serve Winston-Salem in the N.C. House. Best qualified also means most effective. I enjoy the challenge of tackling complex issues and don’t mind if someone else gets the credit. I have signed and honored the no PAC/lobbyist pledge, and I will honor the no salary contract if I don’t fulfill my promise to my employer. (The voter!)
Top priority if elected: It costs too much to live and do business in North Carolina. This is a direct result of the state’s budget, which has grown at a rate of three times the inflation rate for the past several years. My top priority is to lower taxes by shrinking state government. North Carolina doesn’t have a revenue problem. It has a spending problem.
Yadkin will elect 4 commissioners, all Republicans
COMPILED BY TITAN BARKSDALE
Yadkin County voters will fill four seats Tuesday on the Yadkin County Board of Commissioners.
Roger Evans, a Republican incumbent, is running for re-election. Republicans Kim Clark Phillips and Brady Wooten and Democrat Larry Vestal also are running for seats.
Phillips ran unsuccessfully for the Yadkin County Board of Education in 2002. Vestal served on the Martin County Board of Education before he returned to Yadkin County two years ago. Wooten ran unsuccessfully for the board in 1994, 1996, 1998 and 2000.
The top two finishers in the general election win four-year terms; the candidate in third place will serve a two-year term.
In a special election, Republican Allen Sneed is running for the seat that was held by Josh Baity, who resigned in July from the board of commissioners.
Joe Dezern is running unopposed for supervisor for the Yadkin Soil and Water Conservation District.
Roger L. Evans
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Yadkin County commissioner
Party: Republican
Home address: 6052 Aquilla Creek Road, East Bend, NC 27018
Date of birth: June 25, 1949
Education: Starmount High School, Forsyth Technical Community College
Occupation: Retired.
Family: Married with two children and two grandchildren
Political experience: Six years as a Yadkin County commissioner.
What makes you best qualified: I have the experience and know what the issues are on the other side of fence. I address issues with a common-sense approach.
Top priority if elected: I will continue to work for economic development for new jobs as well as to keep the jobs that we already have, and to keep taxes as low as possible. I will work to make our schools better so our children get the best education possible with our resources we have.
Party: Republican
Home address: 6052 Aquilla Creek Road, East Bend, NC 27018
Date of birth: June 25, 1949
Education: Starmount High School, Forsyth Technical Community College
Occupation: Retired.
Family: Married with two children and two grandchildren
Political experience: Six years as a Yadkin County commissioner.
What makes you best qualified: I have the experience and know what the issues are on the other side of fence. I address issues with a common-sense approach.
Top priority if elected: I will continue to work for economic development for new jobs as well as to keep the jobs that we already have, and to keep taxes as low as possible. I will work to make our schools better so our children get the best education possible with our resources we have.
Kim Clark Phillips
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Yadkin County commissioner
Party: Republican
Home address: 1139 Pine Knoll Drive, Yadkinville, NC 27055
Date of Birth: July 7, 1958
Education: B.S.N., University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 1980; M.S.N., magna cum laude, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 1983; Ph.D. in epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1997; Wake Forest University School of Medicine, 2000
Occupation: Research associate, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Department of Public Health Sciences.
Family: Married with three children.
Political experience: None. I ran unsuccessfully for Yadkin County Board of Education in 2002.
What makes you best qualified: My education, work experiences and community service qualify me to serve as commissioner. Additionally, I have experience in personnel management, grant writing, contract writing and planning and have strong interpersonal communication skills. I see public service as a vehicle for giving back to the community.
Top priority if elected: I will work to create and implement a five-year county plan addressing short and long-term priority needs such as construction of a water/sewer system connecting all townships, school construction and acquiring grants for county needs. I support the viticulture industry, other new industries and businesses.
Party: Republican
Home address: 1139 Pine Knoll Drive, Yadkinville, NC 27055
Date of Birth: July 7, 1958
Education: B.S.N., University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 1980; M.S.N., magna cum laude, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 1983; Ph.D. in epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1997; Wake Forest University School of Medicine, 2000
Occupation: Research associate, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Department of Public Health Sciences.
Family: Married with three children.
Political experience: None. I ran unsuccessfully for Yadkin County Board of Education in 2002.
What makes you best qualified: My education, work experiences and community service qualify me to serve as commissioner. Additionally, I have experience in personnel management, grant writing, contract writing and planning and have strong interpersonal communication skills. I see public service as a vehicle for giving back to the community.
Top priority if elected: I will work to create and implement a five-year county plan addressing short and long-term priority needs such as construction of a water/sewer system connecting all townships, school construction and acquiring grants for county needs. I support the viticulture industry, other new industries and businesses.
Larry Worth Vestal
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Yadkin County commissioner
Party: Democrat
Home address: 2724 Hinshaw Road, Yadkinville, NC 27055
Date of birth: Nov. 3, 1947
Education: Jonesville High School, 1966, B.A., M.S. East Carolina University in political science, 1970 and 1974.
Occupation: Retired regional manager with the N.C. Employment Security Commission. I worked for 30 years as an employment consultant and assistant manager in Greensboro, office manager in Williamston and regional manager for more than 15 offices in Eastern North Carolina.
Family: Married with two daughters and one granddaughter.
Political experience: Elected to the Martin County Board of Education and served as vice chairman until returning to Yadkin County in 2002.
What makes me the best qualified: I believe that the combination of my education, community involvement and work experience makes me well qualified to become a Yadkin County Commissioner. I also am retired and have the time to serve all the citizens. I worked 30 years helping people find jobs and assisting both large and small employers find qualified workers. I also worked closely with economic developers and chambers of commerce in attracting new business and industry to our communities.
Top priority if elected: We need to support our local agricultural employers and all businesses and industries in the county. In addition, we need to be unified and serious in actively recruiting new job opportunities for our citizens. Yadkin County is a great place to live, and we should promote all our positive features such as major highways and great work ethic of our citizens. We must also continue to invest in the education of our youth in order to prepare them for well-paying jobs. We should do better planning rather than reacting to crises.
Party: Democrat
Home address: 2724 Hinshaw Road, Yadkinville, NC 27055
Date of birth: Nov. 3, 1947
Education: Jonesville High School, 1966, B.A., M.S. East Carolina University in political science, 1970 and 1974.
Occupation: Retired regional manager with the N.C. Employment Security Commission. I worked for 30 years as an employment consultant and assistant manager in Greensboro, office manager in Williamston and regional manager for more than 15 offices in Eastern North Carolina.
Family: Married with two daughters and one granddaughter.
Political experience: Elected to the Martin County Board of Education and served as vice chairman until returning to Yadkin County in 2002.
What makes me the best qualified: I believe that the combination of my education, community involvement and work experience makes me well qualified to become a Yadkin County Commissioner. I also am retired and have the time to serve all the citizens. I worked 30 years helping people find jobs and assisting both large and small employers find qualified workers. I also worked closely with economic developers and chambers of commerce in attracting new business and industry to our communities.
Top priority if elected: We need to support our local agricultural employers and all businesses and industries in the county. In addition, we need to be unified and serious in actively recruiting new job opportunities for our citizens. Yadkin County is a great place to live, and we should promote all our positive features such as major highways and great work ethic of our citizens. We must also continue to invest in the education of our youth in order to prepare them for well-paying jobs. We should do better planning rather than reacting to crises.
Brady Wooten
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Yadkin County commissioner
Party: Republican
Home address: 3540 Arnold Road, Hamptonville, NC
Date of Birth: May 31, 1942
Education: Courtney High School, United Electronic Labortories
Occupation: President, Electronic Service Center in Elkin
Family: Married with two sons and eight grandchildren
Political experience: Ran for Yadkin County commissioner in 1994, 1996, 1998 and 2000.
What makes you best qualified: People who have known me for any period of time know that I take extreme pride in my integrity. If elected, I will never go back on a promise. My promise to the voters of Yadkin County is that I will work unceasingly to reduce the size, the cost, and the power of county government and its intrusions into regulation of the noncriminal activities of the individual citizen.
Top priority if elected: In this county, education is where our future should be focused. Teachers shape our future in teaching and training our children in the pursuit of productive lives. Teachers and parents are the foundation of how our children conduct themselves in adulthood. Increasing class size, outdated textbooks, antiquated buildings, and mandatory testing are putting a stress on our teaching professionals limiting their effectiveness to do their jobs.
Party: Republican
Home address: 3540 Arnold Road, Hamptonville, NC
Date of Birth: May 31, 1942
Education: Courtney High School, United Electronic Labortories
Occupation: President, Electronic Service Center in Elkin
Family: Married with two sons and eight grandchildren
Political experience: Ran for Yadkin County commissioner in 1994, 1996, 1998 and 2000.
What makes you best qualified: People who have known me for any period of time know that I take extreme pride in my integrity. If elected, I will never go back on a promise. My promise to the voters of Yadkin County is that I will work unceasingly to reduce the size, the cost, and the power of county government and its intrusions into regulation of the noncriminal activities of the individual citizen.
Top priority if elected: In this county, education is where our future should be focused. Teachers shape our future in teaching and training our children in the pursuit of productive lives. Teachers and parents are the foundation of how our children conduct themselves in adulthood. Increasing class size, outdated textbooks, antiquated buildings, and mandatory testing are putting a stress on our teaching professionals limiting their effectiveness to do their jobs.