The Sampson County Farm Bureau provided a platform for candidates in the upcoming November election to introduce themselves and explain why they are running during a breakfast meeting Monday.A total of 10 candidates for local, state and national office were present for the event.
Tate Pope, local president of Sampson’s Farm Bureau, explained that the Bureau was providing the legislative breakfast as a service to the community.
“We wanted to provide a method for local farmers and voters to meet the candidates and give the candidates a chance to introduce themselves and a chance to answer a few questions. That is why we are offering this opportunity to serve our community and help everyone be better informed,” shared Pope.
Each candidate was given three minutes to introduce themselves and then additional time to answer any questions that might be posed from the audience.
The first candidate to speak was Republican candidate for Sampson County Register of Deeds, Sharon Carter. She was followed by Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, David Rouzer. Ed Goodwin, Republican candidate for Secretary of State, was next to introduce himself followed by incumbent Democrat U.S. House of Representative candidate Mike McIntyre.
Incumbent Register of Deeds Eleanor Bradshaw was next to address the group. Three unopposed candidates alsoto the group, N.C. House of Representatives, Larry Bell (D), and William Brisson (D) spoke followed by N.C. Senator Brent Jackson (R). State Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate John Tedesco was present to introduce himself as the Republican candidate. The final speaker was Democratic candidate for Secretary of Labor John Brooks.
Each candidate briefly shared why they were running and thanked the Farm Bureau for providing them an opportunity to share their views with those in attendance. Interestingly, however, there were no questions posed from the audience.
Those in attendance seemed to prefer bending the ears of candidates in private.
Candidates talked about their qualifications and their desire to serve the public, offering their particular talents to the offices they were seeking. Incumbents touted some of their accomplishments while those hoping to unseat them talked about ways they could improve the offices.
Everyone had an opportunity to dine on a variety of pastries, ham or sausage biscuits, orange juice and coffee and a chance to speak with the candidates one-on-one. The candidates took time to answer individual questions and remained available until all present had a chance to greet them.
Farm Bureau officials said they had hoped more would have attended the breakfast but were pleased with those who did take the opportunity to meet the candidates.
“We would have liked to have had more participation from those who came and it would have been great if more people had taken this opportunity to learn more about the candidates, but we are pleased with the results of today’s legislative breakfast and feel everyone who attended is better informed to vote this fall,” remarked Pope.
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