Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

Thom Goolsby is a respected attorney, family man, and former Marine Corps officer. He is the Partner at the Goolsby Law Firm in Wilmington and an Adjunct Professor of Law at Campbell University. In addition, Goolsby has been a well-recognized personality on local radio and television for many years, providing policy commentary and legal assistance to area residents.

Goolsby served his country as an officer in the United States Marine Corps and his state as Counsel to the State Crime Commission under Governor Jim Martin. He is a graduate of The Citadel, where he served as Regimental Commander of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. Goolsby is a member of the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. He holds an MBA from Golden Gate University and a law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Goolsby resides with his wife, Rachael, son, Fleming, and daughters, Lily and Alabama, in downtown Wilmington. The Goolsbys attend Port City Community Church.

I am running for North Carolina Senate to help create more good, high-paying jobs in New Hanover County. Having lived in this county for nearly two decades, I am deeply concerned about the economic difficulties local people are suffering through at present. I believe my business experience, common sense principles and passion for a better New Hanover County equip me most ably to help improve economic conditions.

Policymakers can help spur job creation by eliminating wasteful spending, cutting taxes and removing excessive regulations on small businesses. Our leaders need to do a better job of aggressively recruiting business and industry to our state and we need to listen to business leaders' suggestions on how to make our state a more attractive place to relocate.

In addition to job growth, I believe North Carolina needs new, bold, fresh leadership which is committed to stamping out corruption in our state. To that end, I will lead in the area of making government more open, honest and transparent. Career politicians have created a culture which breeds corruption and it's time to restore a citizen-led government which puts the agenda of the people back where it belongs: at the forefront of our priorities.

I am proud to have served my country as a U.S. Marine Corps officer and served my state as Counsel to the Governor's Crime Commission. I look forward to the opportunity to serve the people of New Hanover County as their State Senator. I pledge to devote myself to advocating effectively on behalf of our citizens and I will always endeavor to do what is right and just in pursuit of a society that is more just, safe and prosperous.