A genuine candidate for the 13th Congressional District

It’s been tough to be a Republican in 2016. We have run ourselves into political muck with our persistent endorsement of issues that, quite frankly, don’t matter and paint the GOP as “bad guys.” We have elected and nominated politicians that spend far more time talking about what we’re against than what we’re for. In the aptly named “wild west” of the new 13th district, it is difficult to find many genuine candidates amid the muck, candidates who care about real issues — jobs, education, business and the economy.

Jason Walser is a genuine candidate. In the time I have followed his campaign, he has carried himself with utmost dignity and respect for the office. His message emphasizes issues that affect everybody. He understands the power of local economies and communities, while recognizing that the federal government has an important role — albeit a smaller one — in regulating issues such as national defense, infrastructure and trade policy.

His experience heading the Land Trust has led to his championing conservation of resources as a conservative idea. Best of all, he believes that he can be part of a movement to take back the GOP. He wants to help return the party to one of business-minded pragmatists with a solid commitment to fiscal conservatism — a party that has a “big tent” and a big heart.

I hope that you will join me in voting for Jason Walser on June 7.

— Carter Woolly

Salisbury

Good seatmate, legislator

The race for the 13th Congressional District is vitally important.

Most of the Republican candidates have spoken at our monthly meetings, and they are an impressive group. I would be proud to have them represent me and will wholeheartedly support whomever we choose in the June 7 primary.

I am not opposed to any of them but am for one of them in particular. His name is Harry Warren, and he came into the N.C. House with me in 2011, as the representative from Rowan County, District 77. He has been my seatmate for six years, and when you sit beside someone for up to 16 hours at a stretch, you get to know them well. You see them at their best and at their worst and get to know their strengths and weaknesses.

Several years ago, I watched him go through the lingering illness of one of his children, whom he lost, at age 36, to a brain tumor. I witnessed nothing but absolute faith that more often than not, put my own to shame.

I probably know Harry Warren better than I know anyone, outside my own family, and there is no better man spiritually or ethically. He’s a workhorse and has authored some of the most significant legislation passed since Republicans came into the majority in North Carolina. If you appreciated the voter ID, e-verify, or unemployment insurance reform bills, to name a few, you see his handiwork.

In addition, I want someone who serves for all the right reasons, and who will stand for us against the plague of self- interest and against powerful outside interests.

I urge everyone to learn more about each of these candidates and to please give great consideration to this fine man, Harry Warren, for the 13th U.S. Congressional District.

— N.C. Rep. Rayne Brown

Lexington