Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):

Robert Pittenger is a small businessman who served nearly 3 terms in the North Carolina Senate, from 2002 until his resignation on May 27, 2008.  During this time of public service he focused on efficiency reforms in state government and common sense solutions to issues facing North Carolina.  Pittenger has also served as President of the Foundation for NC Future, a forum for government reform initiatives involving economists and business leaders throughout the state.

Robert Pittenger was awarded the 2005 Taxpayers Advocate Award by Americans for Prosperity and also serves as Chair of the North Carolina Taxpayer Protection Caucus with Americans for Tax Reform.  He serves on the boards of the Jesse Helms Educational Foundation, CPCC Foundation, Presbyterian Hospital Foundation, and Davidson College Board of Visitors.

Robert Pittenger is President of Robert Pittenger Company, a real estate investment firm, and attends Central Church of God.  He has been married thirty years to his wife Suzanne, and lives with his family in Charlotte, N.C.  They have four grown children.

Robert Pittenger graduated from the University of Texas in 1970 and majored in Political Science and Psychology. He is also a 2004 graduate of the Kennedy School of Government Executive Program.

I am running for Lieutenant Governor because state government is heading in the wrong direction and needs someone with principles to get us back on the right track.

As state senator I saw the incredible waste of our tax dollars.  State government is too big -- spends too much -- and takes too much from North Carolinians for the services they get.

One of three students does not graduate from North Carolina's high schools.  Medicaid fraud is rampant -- and healthcare costs are going through the roof.  North Carolina has the highest tax burden in the Southeast -- hurting our ability to attract new business and industry to our state.

One group of politicians has been in charge: the liberal Democrats.

With the Democrats in charge, North Carolina has become a haven for illegal aliens -- putting out the welcome mat for them to get drivers licenses -- allowing them to overwhelm our hospitals and schools.

The Democrats in charge have failed to prepare our state for the current economic difficulties.

It's time for a change.

We need to build our economy with off-shore drilling for oil and gas 40 miles off our coast.  We must lower taxes for middle class families.  But first we must reduce the cost of state government -- and there's plenty of fat to cut.

I voted against millions of dollars of pork barrel spending that we either don't need or can't afford -- like $400,000 for a teapot museum.  To uncover the waste, I helped create an in-depth investigation into waste and fraud in state government. 

Opposing that waste has not made me popular with the special interests. But I believe tax money belongs to taxpayers -- not the tax collectors. 

Please join our cause for change.  I would be honored to have your vote November 4th.