Cabarrus group to host GOP candidate debate

CONCORD — Cabarrus Republican Women will host a debate Tuesday featuring Republican candidates for North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District.

The debate will start at 7 p.m. Tuesday at The Vintage Motor Club, located at 325 McGill Ave. NW in Concord.

Registration and a social hour begin at 6 p.m. Refreshments will be available, and the event is open to the public.

The five announced Republican candidates for the 8th district are Richard Hudson, Scott Keadle, Vernon Robinson, John Whitley and N.C. Rep. Fred Steen.

Wayne Powers, radio talk show guest host at WBT 1110 AM, will serve as moderator. To submit questions or issues for consideration, send an email to debate@waynepowers.com.

Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by email to CabarrusRepublicanWomen@gmail.com or by phone at 704-621-6984.

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Vernon Robinson, Republican candidate for the 8th Congressional District, used Rep. Larry Kissell’s own campaign stunt this week to criticize the Democrat in his home county.

In response, Kissell criticized his Republican predecessor, welcomed Robinson to town and thanked him for helping cash-strapped taxpayers.

Robinson pumped 1,000 gallons of gasoline Thursday at the E-ZEE station in Biscoe, where Kissell lives.

The fuel was sold at $1.80 per gallon. According to a press release sent Tuesday by Robinson’s campaign, that was the price of gasoline when Kissell and President Barack Obama took office in January 2009.

The price has about doubled since then, and Robinson paid the difference Thursday.

“The reason for these outrageous increases are the failed energy and monetary policies pursued by Larry Kissell and Barack Obama,” he said.

Robinson isn’t the first to pump gas to make a point. He got the idea from his opponent.

Kissell also sold gas at a Biscoe station during his 2006 Congressional campaign. The price was $1.22 per gallon, which was the cost of gas when then-Rep. Robin Hayes took office in 1999.

The representative released a statement Wednesday attributing rising fuel prices to “the failed policies of” Hayes, a Republican.

Kissell continued, “I welcome Mr. Robinson to Montgomery County and thank him for spending his campaign money trying to help the citizens of our district stretch their hard-earned dollars in this way.”

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Rep. Virginia Foxx, a Republican who represents North Carolina’s 5th district in the U.S. House, has endorsed Richard Hudson in the 8th district race.

“Richard is a strong, committed conservative who worked with me in Washington to advance the conservative cause,” Foxx said in a press release sent Tuesday by Hudson’s campaign. “The people of North Carolina can trust Richard to work hard every day to protect our freedoms and get our economy back on track.”

Foxx is in her fourth term in the U.S. House. Hudson, also a Republican, served as Foxx’s chief of staff from 2004 to 2006.

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U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) was recognized Tuesday for her support of veterans and U.S. Marines.

The Marine Corps League, a not-for-profit organization that promotes the interests of the U.S. Marine Corps, gave Hagan the National Legislative Award.

According to a press release sent by Hagan’s campaign, National Legislative Chairman Bob Becker said the league chooses a Congressional leader each year who best serves veterans and the military.

“This year Senator Hagan rose to the top as one of the leaders for our community,” Becker said.

Hagan said in the press release that she is honored to receive the award. Hagan serves as chair of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities. She is also a founding member of the Military Family Caucus.

— Compiled by Karissa Minn