Imari Scarbrough
Staff Writer
The Republican Headquarters grand opening in Wadesboro on Saturday drew a large crowd with over 40 people in attendance.
Several candidates attended including Richard Hudson, the Republican nominee for Congress in the 8th District; Gene McIntyre, the Republican candidate for the N.C. Senate in the 25th District; Mark Brody, the Republican candidate for N.C. House District 55; and John R. Nance, a candidate for district court judge.
The event began at noon, with people filing in for mingling and food while waiting for the ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. A prayer followed, as did a cake cutting and several speeches by various attendees, including candidates who stated their goals if they are elected into office.
Hudson spoke first. “Enough’s enough,” he said. “We’ve had four years of a president with empty promises and a congressman who comes home and talks like John Wayne and goes to Washington and votes with President Obama 90 percent of the time. It’s time for Larry Kissell to go.”
Hudson added that he stopped in Polkton for the town’s annual Fun Day festival, and had met with several supporters. “I’m telling you that there are Democrats out there who are ready to vote with us, and it’s up to us to reach out to them,” Hudson said. “I’ve never seen a choice on a national ticket that is so stark. When you look at the record of President Obama versus the vision that Romney-Ryan lay out for America, it could not be more different.”
Nance also spoke. “As a judge, I’ll be looking at the law and I’ll be looking at the facts that are presented, and the decisions that I make as a judge, that’s what it’s going to be based on,” Nance said. “What does the law say about this situation, what are the facts that are properly presented, and that is what drives me as to how to make a decision. It doesn’t matter who the individual is standing before me, it doesn’t matter who the attorney representing the individual standing before me is. On civil matters, both will have the opportunity to have their case heard and I will make a just and fair decision without regard to any personal knowledge. As a matter of fact, if I have personal knowledge, it probably won’t be before me, because I’ll step down and let somebody else take the case.”
McIntyre also spoke briefly. “We’ve got the advantage now. We’re still outnumbered, but we’ve got a lot of Democrat friends… I want you to get out to vote and remember Gene McIntyre,” he said. He commented on the possibility of confusion on the ballot. “Unfortunately, the man running against me from Richmond County is Gene McLaurin. His name will be the first and I’ll be the second Gene on the ticket.”
The turnout for the event was nearly four times what Donna Wells, Anson County Republican party chair, had expected. “We signed in 57 and we figured there’s two or three who didn’t sign in,” said Wells. “Earlier, someone came up to me and said, ‘How many people are you expecting?’ and I said, ‘Well there’s six of us, so maybe 15?’”
Soon after the speakers had finished, Bob Wells called out, “Everybody, listen up! We’ve got a convert,” he said, holding up a clipboard after speaking with a former Democrat turned new Republican.
To listen to audio files of select speeches click on the audio file on the article page.
Donna Wells is planning on having Republican representation at People Fest on Oct. 13.
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