North Carolina is in the worst mess in our lifetime. For most of that time, and especially for the last ten years, our state has been under the control of an interlocking cadre of career politicians, special-interest lobbyists, political hobbyists, and contract thieves who have been driving North Carolina into the ground. It is time for us to take our state back and to deal them a blow so decisive that they will be unable to recover from it in our lifetime or in that of our children.

Before I tell you what are my reasons for running for the State House of Representatives, let me tell you what they aren’t.

First, I am not running because of any personal dislike for my opponent. He is a pleasant, well-meaning man, who like many pleasant, well-meaning men supports a power-structure in Raleigh that pursues policies that are distinctly unpleasant and destructive for North Carolina.

Neither am I running because I want a new career in politics. I firmly intend to serve no more than three terms in the House. If during that time we can find someone else who will continue to pursue the same agenda for reform to which I am committed, I’ll be happy to pass the seat along and come home to the mountains.

In one sense, I am running because someone needed to, and no one else filed. Years ago, I was taught that when you see something that needs to be done and there seems to be no one else getting about the business of doing it, then that is probably God’s way of telling you that you are the one who ought to be doing it. In, other words, I am running because I believe I have been called to do it.

Make no mistake, though: I am convinced that I was called to run, but I do not believe that that fact entitles me to serve. In our system, that entitlement is in the gift of the people of this district, to be granted or not as they think best. This seat in the General Assembly does not belong to me any more than it does to my opponent: It is the people’s seat.