Republicans rallied Saturday at the grand opening of the Wilson County Republican Party headquarters. Area residents and volunteers met candidates seeking office in the Nov. 2 general election, except U.S. Sen. Richard Burr and U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, who were both unable to attend. Each of the candidates for county and state offices spoke during the event.
Wilson County Commissioner Tim Williford, seeking to retain his District 6 seat, asked volunteers to dedicate their time to reaching voters. "You know it's bad when my dad who lived through the Depression says, 'I've never seen it this bad,'" Williford said. "We need your help at all levels. We need your help at the local, state and federal levels."
The headquarters, at 2113 Nash St., is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and can be reached at 265-0058. The Republican's volunteer base of 50 to 70 people is available to provide voters with information on each candidate. Political yard signs are available at the headquarters and volunteers are calling voters encouraging them to vote during early voting, which starts Oct. 14.
"We've got a great crowd and a lot of supporters out here," said Jo Jo Belandnear, a Wilson resident and campaign volunteer. "This is a good location. I think it's going to bring attention to the fact that there is an election coming up in November and no matter how you vote, you need to vote."
Candidates who attended the grand opening include Ashley Woodard, U.S. House District 1; Buck Newton, N.C. Senate District 11; Garland Shepheard, N.C. House District 23; Claiborne Holtzman, N.C. House District 24; Henry Phillips, Wilson County Board of Commissioners District 5; Tad Piner, Wilson County Board of Commissioners District 7; and Wilson County Commissioner Roger Lucas, District 4.
"More Republican candidates are running in the election this year and it gives people more choices," said Ray Barnhill, a Wilson area resident. "For so long, there hasn't been opposition. I think people are ready for limited government."
Newton, also the chairman of the Wilson County Republican Party, was the first to speak during the event and said the legislature is in need of a change. "We've had (high) unemployment in Wilson and Nash counties for almost two years," Newton said. "My opponents think they know how to create jobs. The solution is small businesses. We're the ones who create jobs." In addition to its Republican base, volunteers plan to reach out to independent voters and undecided Democrats, said Howard Murphy, a member of the Wilson County Republican Party Executive Committee.
The party will host an Oct. 6 visit by U.S. Sen. Richard Burr. Tickets are being sold at the headquarters for $100, which allows admission for four people, for an oyster roast and Burr's speech. The event is being held at Riverbirch Farms, 5700 Thompson Chapel Church Road, from 6:30-9 p.m.
* Article appeared in the Wilson Times and written by staff writer Rochelle Moore
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