Stan Bingham, 53, visited Salisbury Wednesday as part of his early forays in the 38th Senatorial District that includes all of Davie County and portions of Rowan, Davidson and Forsyth counties. Cochrane’s seat expects to be wide open in 2000 because of her plans to run for lieutenant governor.

Bingham runs a number of small businesses, including Bingham Lumber in Randolph County and The Denton Orator weekly newspaper. He also owns outdoor power equipment and propane gas companies and collects antique cars. Bingham served on the Davidson County Board of Commissioners from 1990-94 but did not seek re-election after that one term.

Bingham started The Denton Orator in 1995 but has steered clear of the small newspaper’s editorial decisions, except to participate in interviews of local World War II veterans.

“I’m more of an organizer,” Bingham said.

Cochrane’s open seat is drawing some interest over several counties. Current Davidson County Commissioner Larry Potts has said he is looking at the seat, though he has not made the same definite commitment that Bingham has.

“I’m not going to spend a lot of money,” Bingham said of his own campaign. “I’m going to spend a lot of time.”

Bingham said his experience as commissioner taught him that one person can make a difference in politics through friendships and debate on issues. He said he will focus on small business, schools and competitive jobs.

He is particularly concerned about government’s effect on the small businessman.

“It’s not that you can’t compete,” Bingham said. “It’s the regulations imposed, and you don’t have the support staff to compensate for them.”

Bingham grew up in Clemmons, the Forsyth County area that’s part of Cochrane’s district. He graduated in forestry from N.C. State University. He lives about eight miles from Denton. His wife, Laura, teaches at South Davidson High School. They have four daughters, three of whom are in college now.

Bingham is a ham radio enthusiast and strong believer in the Junior Achievement program. He teaches Junior Achievement classes in Davidson and Randolph counties and founded the program in Davidson.

He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce in several areas, is a life member of the Lions Club and board member of American Children’s Home and First Bank of Denton.

As a commissioner, Bingham said he noticed a strong divide between local officials and their state legislators.

“It’s a pull,” he said. “Each points fingers at the other.”

Bingham said he rarely saw the lawmakers, whom he described as isolated. It would help every state legislator to serve a term as a county commissioner before heading off for Raleigh, Bingham said.

Bingham helped to start a fire and rescue commission in Davidson County during his term as commissioner. He supported a $60-million bond referendum in Davidson County for school construction and a 1-cent tax set aside for economic development and sewer extension projects.

Bingham also worked on capturing extended area telephone service for Davidson County, hampered somewhat by five different telephone companies and two area codes.