By Mark Wineka
Staff report
Robert Campbell, a retired nuclear instructor with Duke Energy, said it disturbs him that illegal aliens are being given the same community college tuition rates as native-born residents.
He calls it “one of my pet peeves.”
Campbell has filed as a Republican candidate for the N.C. House District 76 seat, which covers roughly the eastern and southern half of Rowan County. The seat is currently held by N.C. Rep. Fred Steen, also a Republican.
Campbell, 65, lives on River Road in eastern Rowan County and has a Richfield address. It is the first time he has run for office.
He worked 27 years for Duke and was employed at the McGuire Nuclear Station, but his life experiences also have included the Navy (1962-65), farming, construction and teaching. He says he would bring a wide breadth of experience to the state legislator’s job.
Campbell earned an associate degree in electronics from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, an undergraduate degree in business from Limestone College and a master’s degree in education from Appalachian State University.
After retiring from Duke Energy at the end of 1999, he taught at Mitchell Community College and was involved in the Federal Reemployment Initiative to help people losing traditional manufacturing jobs prepare themselves for new careers.
He also was the college’s JobLink partner, assigned to work closely with the Employment Security Commission.
Campbell said he would favor laws against the harboring of illegal aliens or paying them benefits. He’s also against foster care for illegal immigrants and their receiving disability payments through Social Security.
He would strongly support a truth in advertising law and a requirement that all items for sale show their countries of origin. Campbell also wants companies to have liability if they make counterfeit or contaminated parts.
In addition, he would support nutritional information on all menus, especially those in schools.
Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263 or mwineka@salisburypost.com.