Brock seeks another term in state Senate

Brock

By Kathy Chaffin

kchaffin@salisburypost.com

MOCKSVILLE — N.C. Sen. Andrew Brock filed as a candidate Monday for re-election to his fifth term representing Rowan and Davie counties in the 34th District.

At age 35, Brock has been the youngest member of the Senate since he was first elected in the fall of 2002. Unlike some of his colleagues, he said, "When I think of my long-term vision, it's not the next election. My long-term vision is 50 years, and my short-term vision is 25."

When he looks at his 3-week-old daughter, Scarlett, Brock said he wants to do everything he can to make North Carolina a better place for her to live and continuing his service as senator will allow him to do that.

"It's never been about me or my title," he said. "It's been about other people."

A Republican, Brock said his priorities if re-elected would include trying to correct the budget mistakes the state has made over the last few years.

"We have spent way too much money on too many government programs that are either inefficient, ineffective or just outdated," he said. "We are the highest taxed state in the Southeast, which is detrimental to businesses, working families and senior citizens."

Brock said he plans to continue his fight to lower taxes and protect property rights, the rights of the unborn and the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.

During his last four terms, Brock said he was ranked not only the most conservative member of the N.C. Senate, but also one of the most business-friendly.

A native of Farmington in Davie County, Brock grew up in a political family. His grandfather, B.C. Brock Sr., served in the N.C. General Assembly for 11 terms between 1917 and 1961.

Andrew Brock's late father, Rufus, a small business owner in Mocksville, was highly sought after as a consultant for area politicians.

Brock said veteran politicians have told him they loved getting advice from his father because he gave them the man-on-the-street perspective. "I hope I got that trait from him," he said.

One of the best compliments Brock said he has received as a state senator is that he is "just like everybody else."

"I'm the same as they are," he said. "If they were in my shoes, they'd vote the same way. The chair doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the people. I'm just there trying to carry out their wishes."

He and his wife, Andrea, who he met when they were in Vacation Bible School together as children, recently moved from Farmington to Mocksville so he could be closer to his constituents in Rowan and she could be closer to her job in Iredell County.

Contact Kathy Chaffin at 704-797-4249.