Ted Alexander: N.C. Senate candidate speaks to Grace Ridge residents
By Robert Boyer, The News Herald, Morganton, N.C. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Alexander, much like his primary colleagues, brings a conservative vision to the race, one that rejects the Affordable Care Act, the "War on Poverty" and what Alexander calls "overspending" by the federal government.
Alexander is a pro-life conservative who said that the country needs to reduce onerous regulations and encourage entrepreneurship.
Alexander graduated from
"So, I got my old job back, bought our old house back and moved back to
Alexander would be elected mayor, and during his two terms, he said he focused on job creation, economic development, neighborhood revitalization, strategic planning, efficient government, city appearance and crime prevention.
"I did what I went to do," he said. "I addressed each of these issues. When I first started,
Three of his proudest achievements as mayor of
"And this, is I think, tremendous for
Alexander said he will bring that same can-do activism to the
In addition, Alexander said he is a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights, as well as a balanced budget and a line item veto when it comes to spending.
Before Alexander can face Hagan, he will need to defeat six other candidates in the
After meeting with supporters about a year ago, Alexander decided to run for the
"I love
More regulations from the federal government are being sent to the states, which in turn send them to cities and counties, Alexander said.
"And who ends up paying for them -- we all do," he said.
Alexander said he views public service as "servant leadership ... as servant of the public."
One term should be enough, Alexander said, unless he needs another six-year term to finish his work.
Alexander, who was called "the People's Mayor" in
Questions ranged from name recognition to Alexander's stance on medicinal marijuana, an issue he is not in favor of.
"I think that if you hear the various drug enforcement folks, and the doctors that I hear and so forth, they only see that that's going to lead to major problems," he said. "I really think it's not the thing that we want to do. I wouldn't support it. I think it's the wrong message that we would send to our children."
Alexander struggles with name recognition, especially in the eastern part of the state, but said he has made a number of contacts there and is working hard to bridge the gap, which he admitted "was a struggle. We have to go everywhere we can."
Alexander said he has worked "alongside the private sector" as the director of the Main Street Program and worked closely with businesses all over the state.
"As a local government, we're often told we have to run it like a business and we did try to do that in
Alexander said he lives the farthest west of any candidate.
One female questioner asked Alexander about women's issues and how he might deal with them.
"Supposedly that we are at war with women," he responded. "I think that women's issues are the issues of everybody. The economy, jobs -- those are issues that affect everybody, not just women. So ... I think that we need to treat everybody equally and I don't really see it as a major issue."
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