Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

I was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, home of Elvis. Mom was a proud homemaker, and Dad worked long hours as a forester. My sister and I spent summers on Granddad's farm tending the fields, feeding the animals, and baling hay. As I grew older, I began to spend my free time doing yard work for the neighbors to save for my first car. It surprised no one when I enlisted in the US Army shortly after graduation. I was proud to serve my country, and thankful for the structure and discipline it sharpened in me. The Army took an individual with a lot of rough edges, and shaped him into a valuable team player. With their encouragement, I earned the rank of Sergeant and the following medals: Army Service Ribbon, Army Achievement Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the NCO Professional Development Ribbon.

After my service in the military, I chose to stay in Fayetteville and make North Carolina my home. I decided to put my years of experience doing the neighbors' lawns to the test, and officially opened my own business, Cardinal Landscaping. I have since become a North Carolina General Contractor, North Carolina Landscape Contractor, and am a member of the International Society of Arborists.

It has been a blessing to have been embraced by my community, and I have felt privileged to be able to help give others a chance to succeed. The Cape Fear Kiwanas, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Cape Fear Botanical Gardens, and the March of Dimes are just a few of the organizations with whom I have been honored to serve. Since 2005 I have been a part of the Fayetteville City Council.

As a Fayetteville City Councilman I was able to help improve the city's transit system, implement a recycling program, and increase the number of fire and police officers without raising taxes. If I am blessed enough to be elected Senator of North Carolina's 19th precinct my main priorities are to reject any legislation that would raise the taxes of hard working North Carolinians, stop wasteful government spending, and take the steps necessary to fix our public education system.

I've owned my own business for over 20 years now, and know first-hand what it's like to struggle to make payroll. I've watched with dismay as start-ups and long established businesses alike have crumbled under this current job killing administration. North Carolina has the highest corporate, state income, and gas tax rates earning the unfortunate nickname of "Highest Taxed State in the Southeast". These high taxes are scaring away businesses from relocating here, and shutting down those we do have. Job creation, not government bailouts, is the key to revitalizing our economy. We must create an environment that encourages business growth, and restores our job market. I understand that the best way to achieve this is to lower taxes, reduce the paralyzing government regulations, and let businesses compete in a free and fair market.

I believe in putting teachers back in their jobs and children back in their seats. Rewarding teachers by performance based raises, expanding public charter school opportunities, and appropriating funding for fundamental resources in public schools will get the North Carolina education system back on track and promote a better learning environment for our children.