Candidate Clarence Bender

Monday, August 27, 2012 11:55 PM
Democrat challenging Buck Newton
Bender says he's gotten cold shoulder by own party locally

Courtesy > The Wilson Times / Staff Writer Janet Conner-Knox


Democratic candidate running for the N.C. Senate District 11 seat, Clarence Bender, said he’s in this election to win victories for the people of North Carolina, particularly those who haven’t had their voices heard.

Bender is running against Republican Sen. Buck Newton. Newton is running for a second term.

“Everybody should feel as if they have a voice and the ear of their representatives,” Bender said. “But as we all know, there are some people who just keep getting looked over. They have to be included in Raleigh when laws are made.”

Bender, who resides in Castalia, said he understands what it is like to be overlooked. He said he really feels that in Wilson County by those who are in his party,

“I was told by other Democrats that I would never get their support and I get the cold shoulder in Wilson County,” Bender said. “I am the Democratic nominee, but I don’t feel the support here in Wilson. Sometimes when there is a party at a home to raise funds for another candidate, I am allowed to come to the party, but I can’t get anyone to give me one of those parties. That is how many of our citizens feel when it comes down to the political process – left out.”

But he said even without support, he has been out shaking hands and talking to people about the issues they believe are important.

“As I go out talking to people, I hear as common topics the concern for jobs, how bad the economy is doing and that they want their children to get a solid education,” Bender said. “So those are the areas I would work in if I am elected.”

Bender said with a son diagnosed with attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder, he has seen first hand what does not happen for children in public schools.

“Lots of poorer counties get less money and teachers can’t be trained in those special areas because there is no money,” Bender said. “Those teachers need access to the training and the students need teachers trained in the latest techniques.”

Bender said the more money that is cut from the school budget, the worse it is for children.

“When they cut the budget, teachers’ aides are cut from the classrooms,” Bender said. “If there are 20 or more students and the teaching assistant is gone, then we have children who are overlooked.”

Bender said he would like to see smaller class sizes. He said he would also like to see more opportunities to have more math and science taught in classrooms.

“If our children are going to compete globally, and the children they are competing against have the foundation, our children will lose,” Bender said.

Bender points out that according to statistics, countries like Finland, China and Korea have students outranking U.S. students.

“We need better and more competitive salary and packages and health benefits so we can keep our teachers in place,” Bender said. “Our state employee turnover rate is too high. I was reading something from our state that said we could save 3 to 4 hundred million dollars a year if we could keep our employees in place after they are trained with the state.”

Bender said if elected, he would concentrate on creating jobs for the state.

He said one way is to help those people who want to start small businesses.

“I have been a small business owner before, and it can be tough,” Bender said. “But if we strengthen small business and give them the incentives we give big business, it will help all around the state,” Bender said. “Small businesses should be able to band together and get health insurance for themselves and their employees.”

Bender said big businesses get big tax breaks and small businesses need the big tax breaks, too.

He said the Small Business Association should be more accessible to small businesses.

“Some smaller cities don’t embrace small businesses like they should,” Bender said. “But when we support them, they can hire more people and make local economies stronger.”

Bender said he is definitely going to connect with every legislator who wants to do something about the high energy bills.

“Nobody’s electric bill should be bigger than their mortgage,” Bender said. “I have talked to Wilson citizens who work every day and still have to use candles so they can afford to pay their electric bill. A lot of businesses have shut down because they can’t afford the bill.”

Bender said it doesn’t take much to understand that if small businesses are closing because of high utility bills, and we need small businesses to strengthen the economy, then the issue needs to be addressed.

“The big bills aren’t helping the people we need to move things along,” Bender said.