Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

I was born in Raleigh and raised in Harnett County, graduating from Coats High School and Campbell University with a bachelors in Social Science. While growing up in Harnett County, I worked in the tobacco fields in the summer, had a night cleaning job in the local medical center, and bussed tables in a restaurant. I also attended graduate school in public affairs at NC State University. I was an intern in the office of US Sen. Sam Ervin and later worked on the campaign staff of US Senator Robert Morgan. I am an Army veteran and served a tour in Vietnam.

Following many years as a small business manager in the Raleigh area, I worked for about five years as a journalist (editor of Harnett County News and later Clayton News-Star), and since then, I have spent the last 17 years in the human resources area in NC state government, where I still work as the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer in the Department of Environment & Natural Resources. I also am a member of the Raleigh Transit Authority and of Operation Free, a national group of veterans advocating for energy security for America. Also, I have been married 36 years and my wife, Donna, and I have one son, David, 26, who lives in Raleigh.

My interests have always been family oriented, first, and then I like to read mysteries and historical fictions, Southern literature and the classics. My musical tastes are also in the folk, bluegrass, classic rock and classical lines. My favorite president is Abraham Lincoln, while my favorite governor is Terry Sanford.

It is my goal to become a NC State Senator because I want to help make progress in the following areas:

1. The economy. We must create jobs, expand opportunities for jobs, assist small businesses via tax breaks and less regulation, and expand opportunities for credit.

2. The environment. In our area this means cleaning Falls Lake and stops the pollution of our valued drinking water source and a place where thousands find recreational pleasure.

3. Education. We must work for unity in our educational system and bridge the gap between diversity and neighborhood groups so that we can have no poor schools and nobody bussed too far for systemic reasons.

4. Trust in public leadership. I want to restore trust for elected officials by the people, at least, as far as how I set the example. It is also my goal to work across party lines for common solutions and let the people know we can solve problems first and practice politics second.

5. Affordable health care. I want to build on the enacted Health Care Act and make sure people can get the newly created coverage that disallows pre-existing condition bans, prescription drug cost reduction, mobile coverage and a better deal from Blue Cross/Blue Shield, who cover most North Carolinians. It is all about putting people first. We must first help the young, the elderly, the sick, the hungry, the disabled and the poor -- this is the moral test of government.