Sunday's Internet Edition, May 11, 2008.
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“In our legislature, we need good, solid thinkers who have their heads screwed on right and are interested in the right kind of government,” Holshouser said. “Jerry has been playing that role for a long time in Raleigh, and I’m pleased to be up here and to say a good word about him.”
Also joining the Republican, who has served in the N.C. House for over 18 years were, U.S. Rep. Howard Coble, who represents North Carolina’s Sixth District in Congress, Paul “Skip” Stam, minority leader of the N.C. House, Davidson County Sheriff David Grice, Lexington Mayor John Walser and Cathy Dunn, who is running for a seat on the Davidson County Board of Commissioners.
“I’m really honored that Gov. Holshouser and Congressman Coble would both take time out of their schedules to be here with me,” Dockham said. “It’s a real honor.”
In a speech to the Republican politicians and donors in attendance, Holshouser said, “As a North Carolinian, I’m as distressed as I have ever been about what’s been happening in our state within the last couple of years. I can remember when we looked down our noses at South Carolina and what went on in its legislature and said, ‘I’m so glad we’re not like that.’”
Within the last year, Jim Black, Speaker of the N.C. House was forced to resign and was sent to prison because of a bribery conviction. On March 20, N.C. Rep. Thomas Wright, who is facing corruption charges was expelled from the legislature. It was the first expulsion from the N.C. House since 1880.
“I’m in a mood that I didn’t think was possible a year ago,” Holshouser continued in his speech. “After the ‘06 election when we [Republicans] took such a badgering around the country, I had some doubts whether this election was going to be fun to go through. But funny things happen along the way. Whomever the Democrats nominate for president is not going to carry North Carolina. Coattails can mean a lot. I’ve been there and done that.”
The last sentence drew laughter and applause from the gathering. In 1972, when Republican President Richard Nixon drew 80 percent of the North Carolina vote in his re-election bid, Holshouser became the first Republican to be elected governor of North Carolina since 1896.
Stam, from Apex, shared Holshouser’s bright outlook for the GOP.
“If we [Republicans] have a good [election] year, we can be in charge,” Stam said. “That’s my goal. I want us to be the majority party in the House. I think we have a good chance to do it.”
It appears to be a safe bet that Dockham, who represents the state’s 80th District will be re-elected. The filing deadline has expired and no one filed to run against him. He said he holds these fundraisers to be able to mount a strong campaign if strong opposition were to come forward somewhere down the line or if he were to run for a different office someday.
“If we had 61 Jerrys down there in Raleigh, we wouldn’t have any problems,” Stam said of Dockham. “Jerry is almost our senior member and is a real steady influence for our cause.”
Dockham was also quite complimentary of Stam.
“Skip has done a wonderful job as minority leader,” Dockham said. “I don’t know of anybody who could have done better. He’s brought us all together and gotten everybody to pull in the same direction. I’m proud of him.”
Holshouser, of course, is proud to have been the first Republican to be elected governor of North Carolina in 76 years.
“I’m proud that it happened when some people who were my father’s age and had worked long and hard were there to see it,” the former governor said of the historic 1972 election. “I was thrilled that it was going to be a major step in helping North Carolina have a good, solid two-party system, which has developed over the years. While that’s always a challenge, people like Jerry are still carrying the torch.”
These days, Holshouser, 73, is practicing law, serving on the University of North Carolina board and chairing a capital campaign for his church in Southern Pines.
“I think there’s a real chance for North Carolina to elect a Republican governor, a Republican Senate and a Republican House,” Holshouser told the gathering. “Skip, when that happens, I don’t want you to screw it up.”
After the laughter died down, Holshouser also praised the minority leader,
“This guy has been a champion,” Holshouser said of Stam. “He has pulled our delegation together like they haven’t been in years — and has just made us a team. It’s going to be a winning team.”
Staff Writer Kevin Reid can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 230, or at reid@tvilletimes.com.