early voting

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We Voted Early

October 20, 2024 by 1 Comment

The Complementary Spouse and I voted today around mid-morning. She estimated it took us just over a half hour from the time we got in line until we left. Our early voting location, the South Buncombe Public Library, had much longer lines on Thursday which was the first day of early voting. Indeed, it was out the door and around the parking lot. Today, since we went during what we called “church hours”, the end of the line was at the library door.

This year, instead of the more traditional sticker, Buncombe County held a contest for young artists to design the sticker. 12-year old Maya LeRoy, an Asheville middle school student, won the contest. Her entry was voted on by residents from a selection of 10 finalists.

While many traditionalists may prefer to vote on the actual Election Day, I have taken advantage of North Carolina’s in-person early voting for at least 15-20 years. It usually is a good way to avoid the lines. Moreover, in an age of terrorism, you are less vulnerable to attacks. Less than two weeks ago, the FBI arrested an Afghan national in Oklahoma City who had planned an election day terrorist attack in the name of ISIS. If it could have taken place in Oklahoma, it could take place anywhere. Given the number of illegal aliens of military age who have crossed our southern borders, it does make one wonder if this was merely the tip of an ice berg. If you have read Kurt Schlichter’s The Attack (#commission earned), while fiction, it certainly could be a possibility.

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Early 1-Stop Voting Starts Tomorrow In NC (Updated)

October 19, 2022 by

Early one-stop voting starts on Thursday, October 20th, in North Carolina. The premier race is for the US Senate. It pits Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC13) against former NC Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley. This is going to be a very, very close race as they are virtually tied.

For those who value the Second Amendment this is a critical race that we must win. On one side you have Ted Budd who not only supports gun rights but owns a gun store and range. He isn’t afraid to be seen shooting in his campaign photos and ads. You may remember I mentioned running into him at Montgomery Community College while he was touring the gunsmithing department.

BRUCE HENDERSON bhenderson@charlotteobserver.com

On the other side, Beasley is an Everytown Gunsense endorsed candidate. She also put this on her campaign website. Need I say more?

Cheri also believes that we must keep our children and communities safe by also implementing common sense gun safety measures like universal background checks, encouraging safe storage and closing loopholes to prevent domestic abusers and those with mental health issues from being able to obtain a gun. We must also do more to stop the plague of mass shootings across our communities by keeping combat-style weapons and high-capacity magazines off our streets and away from our schools. 

I have highlighted all the buzz words used by gun prohibitionists.

There are many other races as well that are just as critical ranging from Congress to the appellate judicial races to the state house and senate.

In my own Congressional district, you have self-made businessman St. Sen. Chuck Edwards who just happens to hold a FFL against Buncombe County Comm. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara. While neither has made gun rights a part of their campaign, you have to know that Edwards will support gun owners and Beach-Ferrara will not. Her main campaign focus seems to be abortion where she portrays herself as a caring, pro-abortion minister. Edwards’ focus is on the economy and inflation.

Two NC Supreme Court seats are up for grabs. If the Republicans take both of them, they will then be in the majority on the court and we probably won’t get rulings overturning the vote on constitutional amendments dealing with tax reform and voter ID. While both Republican candidates are good, Judge Richard Dietz who is now on the NC Court of Appeals really stands out. He has argued the Abramski case before the US Supreme Court. While he unfortunately lost, we know he is pro-Second Amendment and pro-self defense.

The other seat has Justice Sam J. Ervin IV (D) versus Trey Allen (R) who serves as the General Counsel for the Administrative Office of the Courts. I met Jimmy Ervin (who now goes by Sam) years ago when in college. He and I were both heads of our respective chapters of College Democrats. (Yes, I was young, stupid, and a Democrat at one time.) Despite his Harvard Law degree, he never has been seen as one of those brilliant lawyers who must be on the bench. What he does have is a famous last name. Grandpa (Sam Jr) served like Jimmy on the NC Supreme Court and as a US Senator while Daddy (Sam III) served as a NC Superior Court judge and on the US 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. We don’t have hereditary rights to office in this country though it seems that the sons and grandsons of politicians often “inherit” a seat. He is running an “aw, shucks” kind of ad saying he works to balance the law and the facts. If that was really the case, then he would have broken with the Democrat majority on the NC Supreme Court in voting down voter ID.

In the State House and Senate, if the Republicans can flip just a handful of seats, they will regain their super-majority. In terms of gun rights, this would mean the end of the Jim Crow era pistol purchase permit who Gov. Roy Cooper (D) vetoed.

To see where the legislative candidates – state and Federal – stand on gun rights, Grass Roots North Carolina has their candidate evaluations posted. You can search by name or by district. The GRNC-Political Victory Fund recommendations have been released and have gone out by email. As soon as I get a link to it, I will post it. One thing I should note, if a candidate didn’t have a voting record and didn’t return the GRNC survey they are rated zero stars. For the life of me, I cannot understand Republican candidates who just ignore the survey. You don’t have to be great; you only have to better than the Democrat.

The Judicial Fairness Project has their recommendations posted for NC appellate level judges. These are candidates who have pledged to uphold originalist interpretations of the Constitution.

One thing I heard at the recent Gun Rights Policy Conference was that over 30% of gun owners don’t bother voting. Just imagine if the majority of them did vote and voted for gun rights.

UPDATE: I now have an updated link to the Grass Roots North Carolina – Political Victory Fund candidate recommendations for the General Election.

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Early Voting Has Started In North Carolina

February 19, 2020 by 1 Comment

Early voting started last Thursday in North Carolina and will continue through Saturday, February 29th. This is for the March primary for both Democrats and Republicans.

The State Board of Elections has published a county-by-county list of the times and locations where you may do one-stop voting. It is found here. The smallest counties have at least one location and the larger counties have usually 10-20 locations.

The Complementary Spouse and I went today.

Grass Roots North Carolina has compiled their evaluations of all Federal level and state legislative candidates. It is on a zero to four star rating. The evaluations are based both upon voting records (if any) and responses to a survey sent to each and every candidate other than those running for President. If a candidate blows off or ignores the survey, they receive a zero if they have no other record. I’m always amazed at the number of Republicans who profess to be “pro-gun” who stupidly blow off this survey.

Here are their evaluations:

Republican Candidates By Office Sought

Democrat Candidates By Office Sought

All Candidates By Office Sought

All Candidates By Name

GRNC-Political Victory Fund is separate from GRNC. It does make recommendations on candidates over and above the evaluations.

These recommendations are not made for every race. They are only made when a clearly pro-gun candidate stands out or when it is strategic to prevent an anti-gun candidate from winning.

US PRESIDENT (R)

Realizing that no candidate who reaches the level of POTUS will be perfect Donald Trump has refused to allow Republicans to consider the two gun control bills passed by the Democrat-controlled US House. Although the BATFE during the Trump administration did enact the bump stock ban, it also reversed the Obama-era directive to report Social Security recipients with designated benefit payees as prohibited persons under NICS as well as restrictive interpretations the BATFE rendered on AR-type pistols. In the 2020 primary elections, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent President DONALD TRUMP (GRNC ***).

US SENATE (R)

This race is disappointing. Incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis has been marginal since serving as Speaker of the NC House and currently holds a GRNC 2-star (**) evaluation. A potentially viable contender resigned from the race. The two remaining challengers. Larry Holmquist and Sharon Hudson, each returned GRNC’s candidate survey with scores of 100 and 97, respectively. However, each has a history of running losing primary challenges, suggesting they are not serious contenders. Bearing mind that Tillis has the best chance of beating likely Democrat challenger Cal Cunningham in the November General Election, and that GRNC-PVF will likely be forced to recommend Tillis in the General, in this primary, GRNC-PVF has no recommendation.

US HOUSE

District 1 (R): Michele Nix and Sandy Smith both returned perfect 100 surveys, earning GRNC 4-star (****) evaluations. GRNC-PVF has no recommendation in this race.

District 2 (D): In contrast to our usual practice, in this race GRNC-PVF recommends OLLIE ONEAL NELSON (GRNC survey: 55%, 0-star) not because he is particularly pro-gun, but because opponent Deborah K. Ross (voting record: 21%, GRNC 0-star), the likely winner in this district, has a long history of opposing gun rights while in the NC House. Gun owners who are registered Democrats should be working to keep Ross out of Congress.

District 4 (D): Here too Democrat-registered gun voters should work to unseat incumbent David Price (voting record: 0%, GRNC 0-star), who is arguably one of the most anti-gun members of the US House, by voting for challenger DANIEL ULYSSES LOCKWOOD (survey: 60%, GRNC *).

District 4 (R): Nasir A. Shaikh returned a perfect 100% survey, earning a GRNC 4-star (****) evaluation. Challengers Steve A. (Von) Loor, Debesh Sarkar, and Robert Thomas refused to return GRNC’s survey, earning GRNC’s lowest 0-star (0) evaluation. GRNC-PVF recommends NASIR SHAIKH.

District 6 (R): Conservative activist Lee Haywood answered GRNC’s survey with a 95%, earning a GRNC 4-star (****) evaluation, while opponent Laura Pichardo scored only 73% earning a 2-star (**) evaluation. GRNC-PVF recommends LEE HAYWOOD.

District 10 (R): Congressman Patrick McHenry has been a friend of gun owners ever since his service in the NC House, including his effort to ensure passage of a clean concealed handgun reciprocity bill. Therefore, we are deeply concerned that Rep. McHenry recently dropped a vote, reducing his GRNC evaluation to 3 stars (***). Owing to his long history of service to gun owners, GRNC-PVF continues to recommend PATRICK MCHENRY, but notes that with a primary featuring pro-gun Ralf Waters (survey: 90%, GRNC ****), Congressman McHenry needs to focus on avoiding the inherently corrupting influences of incumbency.

District 11 (R): Sadly, pro-gun incumbent Mark Meadows chose not to run again, leaving open this Republican-leaning seat. Fully 12 Republicans are seating the seat, the race for which will likely end with a runoff. Although several candidates returned GRNC surveys and earned 4-star (****) evaluations, including Steven Fekete, Jr., Wayne King, Vance Patterson, Jim Davis, and Dillon Gentry, the standout Second Amendment supporter seems to be Lynda Bennett (100% survey, GRNC ****), a Meadows staffer who has been endorsed by Meadows himself as well as other conservative activists in the district. Malicious rumors spread about Bennett that she was a “never Trumper” have been proven false. GRNC-PVF recommends LYNDA BENNETT.

STATE RACES

NC GOVERNOR (R):

Two questions stand out in this race: Which candidate is the strongest proponent of the Second Amendment, and which is most likely to unseat anti-gun incumbent Democrat Governor Roy Cooper. In both cases, the answer is Dan Forest. To be fair, opponent Holly Grange earned a GRNC 4-star (****) evaluation by a 100% pro-gun voting record. But Forest has demonstrated that he will go above and beyond for gun voters, including his unbidden attendance of a GRNC rally while he was Lt. Governor. With a 100% survey submitted each election year, Dan Forest has earned GRNC’s highest 4-star evaluation (****). GRNC-PVF recommends DAN FOREST for Governor.

NC LT. GOVERNOR (R):

Another race with a plethora of candidates, including no fewer than six who, by virtue of surveys and/or voting records, earned GRNC 4-star (****) evaluations. Four star contenders include: Greg Gebhardt, Mark Robinson, Andy Wells, Deborah Cochran, Scott Stone, and Renee Ellmers. However, only one candidate stands out in supporting the Second Amendment: Mark Robinson went viral with the video of his articulate, impassioned plea to Greensboro City Council members not to infringe on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. He has continued to be a vocal advocate for gun rights, including running for a NRA board of directors seat. With a perfect 100% GRNC survey, earning GRNC’s highest 4-star evaluation (****), GRNC-PVF recommends MARK ROBINSON.

NC ATTORNEY GENERAL (R):

Incumbent anti-gun Democrat Attorney General Josh Stein (GRNC 0-star) needs to be removed. Republican contenders include: Sam Hayes (97% survey, GRNC ****), Jim O’Neill (92% survey, ****), and Christine Mumma (survey: NR, 0-star). We didn’t support O’Neill in 2016, but hoped to after he returned the GRNC survey this year. But that was before O’Neill, as Forsyth County District Attorney, stood at a press conference to support Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough when Kimbrough announced his intention to end Forsyth County’s contract with ICE. Any attorney general candidate who opposes enforcement of immigration laws is unlikely to be sincere in claiming support for gun rights. GRNC-PVF recommends SAM HAYES.

NC COUNCIL OF STATE RACES:

Given that Insurance Commissioner, Treasurer, and similar races bear no direct impact on gun rights, GRNC-PVF elected not to make recommendations in those races. However, we did issue surveys into the races and GRNC evaluations for the candidates can be found at: XXXXX

NC SENATE

District 06 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends Bob Williams (GRNC survey 95%, ****) over Michael Lazzara (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).

District 07 (R): Opponents Jim Perry and Billy Strickland both returned GRNC surveys with 100% scores, with both earning four stars (****). GRNC-PVF has no recommendation in this race.

District 11 (R): Patrick Harris and Dennis Nielsen both returned GRNC surveys, scoring 98% and 97% respectively and earning four stars (****). However, Lisa Stone Barnes scored 100% on GRNC’s survey and sponsored pro-gun legislation while serving in the NC House, earning a GRNC 4-star evaluation (****). [Note: An early version of GRNC candidate evaluations erroneously listed Barnes as having three stars.] GRNC-PVF recommends LISA STONE BARNES.

District 18 (R): Scott McKaig and Larry E. Norman both returned surveys with 100% scores, each earning four stars (****). GRNC-PVF has no recommendation in this race.

District 29 (R): Steve Jarvis and incumbent Eddie Gallimore have both returned GRNC surveys (with 98% and 97%, respectively), and both have sponsored pro-gun legislation in the past (Gallimore in the NC Senate, Jarvis in the NC House). However, Gallimore is the more devoted Second Amendment supporter, while Jarvis is being supported by “RINO” elements in the party. GRNC-PVF recommends EDDIE GALLIMORE.

District 42 (R): For this open seat, Mark Hollow (voting record 100%, survey 99%, GRNC ****) is a better choice than Dean Proctor (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star). Proctor not only refused to return GRNC’s survey, but also reportedly donated $1000 to anti-gun Gov. Roy Cooper and other anti-gun Democrats. Although Republican Party “insiders” (read that “swamp dwellers”) are endorsing Proctor, Mark Hollow, with his pro-gun voting record and history of sponsoring pro-gun bills while in the NC House, makes for the better choice. GRNC-PVF recommends MARK HOLLOW.

District 50 (R): With a 100% pro-gun voting record history of sponsoring pro-gun legislation while in the NC House, plus his 95% survey, Kevin Corbin (GRNC ****) is a far better choice than opponent Sarah Conway (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star). GRNC-PVF recommends KEVIN CORBIN.

NC HOUSE

District 3 (R): For this open seat previously occupied by Michael Speciale, the standout is Jim Kohr. A pastor who reportedly has “concealed carry permitted” signs on his church, Kohr scored 92% on GRNC candidate survey, earning a 4-star evaluation (****). Opponent Eric Queen scored 98% on GRNC’s survey (****), while opponents Guy Smith and Steve Tyson failed to return the survey, earning GRNC’s lowest 0-star evaluation (0). GRNC-PVF recommends JIM KOHR.

District 6 (R): In this race, both candidates scored well on GRNC’s candidate survey, incumbent Bobby Hanig with 99% (GRNC ****) and Rob Rollason with 100% (****). However, as an incumbent, Hanig has sponsored numerous pro-gun bills, clearly demonstrating support for the Second Amendment. GRNC-PVF recommends BOBBY HANIG.

District 12 (D): GRNC-PVF recommends LENTON CREDELLE BROWN (GRNC survey: 100%, ****) over Deonko Brewer (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star) and Virginia Cox-Daugherty (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).

District 14 (R): Incumbent George Cleveland is one of the few long term stalwart Second Amendment defenders of the NC House, with a 100% voting record and repeated 100% survey score, more than earning a GRNC 4-star evaluation (****). GRNC-PVF recommends GEORGE CLEVELAND over challenger Cindy Edwards (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).

District 15 (R): Incumbent Phillip Shepard has a 94% pro-gun voting record, 96% survey and history of sponsoring pro-gun legislation, earning a GRNC 4-star evaluation (****). Challenger Mark Price returned an 81% survey (GRNC ***). GRNC-PVF recommends PHILLIP SHEPARD.

District 19 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends challenger DAVID PERRY (GRNC survey: 99%, GRNC ****) over opponent Charlie Miller (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).

District 20 (R): Incumbent Ted Davis Jr. has been a thorn in the side of gun rights supporters, with a recent gun rights voting record of only 60% and a GRNC evaluation of only 1-star (*). GRNC-PVF recommends JUSTIN LANASA (GRNC survey: 88%, ***).

District 25 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends JOHN CHECK (GRNC survey: 97%, ****) over Steve Matthews (GRNC survey 89%, ***).

District 26 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent DONNA MCDOWELL WHITE (100% pro-gun voting record, 88% survey, history of sponsoring pro-gun legislation) over challenger Justin Tate (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).

District 36 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends GIL PAGAN (GRNC survey 89%, GRNC ***) over Kim Coley (GRNC survey 76%, **)

District 37 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends ERIN PARE (GRNC survey 100%, ****) over Jeff Moore (GRNC survey: 100%, ****) and Anna Powell (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).

District 43 (R): Diane Wheatley scored 100% on GRNC’s survey (GRNC ****) while Clarence W. Goins, Jr. scored 91% on GRNC’s survey (****). With no clear indicators on Second Amendment support, GRNC-PVF has no recommendation in this race.

District 52 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JAMIE BOLES (voting record 94%, survey 95%, GRNC ****) over challenger Bob Temme (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).

District 59 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JON HARDISTER (98% pro-gun voting record, history of sponsoring pro-gun legislation, GRNC ****) over challenger Allen Chappell (GRNC survey: 89%, ***).

District 60 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends RYAN A. BLANKENSHIP (GRNC survey: 96%, ****) over Frank Ragsdale (survey: 84%, ***).

District 66 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends BEN MOSS (GRNC survey: 95%, GRNC ****) over Joey Davis (survey: 88%, ***).

District 80 (R): This is an important race for gun rights supporters. Anti-gun Republican (yes, you read that right) Sam Watford, who GRNC defeated in his Senate bid in 2018, is back. This time he is running for his old House seat against pro-gun Roger Younts, who was briefly appointed to the NC House. Watford is being backed by RINOs in the Republican Party, and has openly expressed contempt for gun voters. In this race, GRNC-PVF recommends ROGER YOUNTS (GRNC survey 100%, GRNC ****) over Haley Sink (96%, ****) and Sam Watford (voting record: 60%, survey 71%, *). Bring friends to the polls and make sure to defeat Sam Watford.

District 82 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends PARISH MOFFITT (GRNC survey: 100%, ****) over Kristin Baker (survey: NR, 0-star) and William G. Hamby, Jr. (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 83 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent LARRY PITTMAN (voting record 95%, survey 93%, GRNC ****) over challenger Jay White (survey: 100%, ****). Pittman is a true gun rights leader, regularly sponsoring pro-gun legislation and amendments, and sticking his neck out for gun owners. Pittman’s opponent might have been smart enough to submit GRNC’s survey, but he is still the “swamp-dwellers’” tool in their attempt to drive out a truly pro-Second Amendment candidate who has a history of bucking leadership to support you. VOTE PITTMAN for NC House.

District 117 (R): This open seat could be a pro-gun pickup, since anti-gun Republican Chuck McGrady chose not to run again. GRNC-PVF recommends TIM MOFFITT (96% pro-gun voting record, 96% survey, GRNC ****) over Dennis Justice (survey: 96%, ****). Moffit previously served in the NC House, where he not only voted pro-gun, but also sponsored pro-gun legislation.

District 119 (R): Mike Clampitt held this seat previously before losing to anti-gun Democrat Joe Sam Queen in 2018. GRNC-PVF recommends MIKE CLAMPITT (pro-gun voting record: 100%, GRNC survey: 100%, GRNC ****) over Ron Mau (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).

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Early Voting Starts April 19th For NC Primary

April 19, 2018 by

Tomorrow is the first day of early voting for the May Primary in North Carolina. The number of locations in a county will vary by both date and county. For example, in Buncombe County (Asheville area), there will be only one site available for early voting until Saturday, April 28th, when it expands to six locations. You can go to the NC State Board of Elections to find the locations for one-stop early voting in your county.

In anticipation of the opening of the early voting period, Grass Roots North Carolina has released their Remember in November candidate evaluations. They have both a sort by district and a sort by name file. Personally, I find the sort by district to be more helpful. The candidate evaluations are only for the state legislature and for Congress.

As GRNC notes, these are evaluations and not endorsements.

GRNC’s “Remember in November” project estimates candidates’ views on “assault weapons,” concealed handguns, gun storage laws, gun rationing, other gun control and the Second Amendment. THE EVALUATIONS HEREIN ARE NOT ENDORSEMENTS. We issued surveys first to a control group of gun owners and then to candidates. Next, we measured how closely each candidate’s views and voting record (if available) agree with the control group. Pay more attention to voting records than survey results unless, of course, you believe politicians never lie.

Also as a reminder, just because a candidate has “R” after his or her name, it doesn’t mean he or she supports gun rights. I have seen a snippet of a debate between Michelle C. Lexo and Tom McInnis regarding firearm issues. They are running for the Republican nomination in the NC Senate 25th District (Anson, Moore, Richmond, and Scotland Counties). Ms. Lexo says we need to look at “high capacity magazines” because she isn’t sure “they are needed”. “Other than that”, she says she supports the Second Amendment. Her opponent, Sen. Tom McInnis, replied “when guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns”.  I’ll let you decide who you’d rather have defending your firearm rights.

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Early Voting Opens In North Carolina Today

October 20, 2016 by 1 Comment

Early voting opens in North Carolina today. In Buncombe County where I live, it starts at 10am and runs to 6pm. Times in other counties may differ. The one-stop early voting runs until Saturday, November 5th. You can check the North Carolina State Board of Elections for which district you live in, links to your county elections board, and more.

In time for this, GRNC-PVF has released their recommendations of candidates for the office of President and on down. It is part of their Remember in November project. You will notice that they give recommendations and not endorsements. Recommendations are based upon their evaluation of which candidate would be better on gun rights issues.

2016 GRNC-PVF General Election
Candidate Recommendations
The
2016 election is a referendum not only on the Second Amendment, but
on diametrically opposed plans for the future of our Republic. Key to
the outcome of that election is North Carolina, which is now regarded as
a hotly
contested “battleground state.” Translated, the future of our Republic
is now in your hands. If you fail to vote, if you fail
to bring like-minded people to the polls, Hillary Clinton’s nomination
of the next Supreme Court justice will be, quite literally, your
fault.

Candidate recommendations versus evaluations:
Below are
recommendations for effective voting strategies by the Grass Roots North
Carolina Political Victory Fund. Candidate recommendations, which are
more
limited than blanket “endorsements,” are not made in all races, only in
races where a clear pro-gun candidate stands out or where
strategic voting is necessary to keep anti-gun candidates out of office.

Recommendations differ from GRNC candidate evaluations. While the
evaluations are
intended to provide an objective measure of where candidates stand on
Second Amendment issues, GRNC–PVF recommendations are analytical and
therefore subject to interpretation. For a full explanation of GRNC’s
objective star evaluations, go to: http://www.grnc.org/remember-in-november/grnc-candidate-evaluations-2016

Important note:
Candidates who lack voting records or other
history on Second Amendment issues and who fail to return GRNC’s
candidate survey automatically receive a zero star evaluation (0) on the
assumption that they are hiding their position from gun voters. Every
election year, we receive complaints about ostensibly pro-gun candidates
who
receive zero star evaluations due to failure to return the survey. Each
candidate is mailed a survey to the address he or she registered with
the
State Board of Elections. If they fail to return the survey, we cannot help candidates who will not help themselves.

Voting instructions: General election One Stop Early Voting
begins on October 20 and ends on November 5 at 1:00 PM. Absentee ballots must be received by 5:00 PM on November 8. Election day is
November 8 between 6:30 AM and 7:30 PM. Click here to find your polling place on election day, or click here to find your One Stop
Early Voting place.

Important changes to voting laws: Due to ongoing litigation,
same-day registration will still be permitted during One Stop Early Voting. Straight party voting is no longer permitted, so
GRNC strongly suggests you investigate individual candidates. Please click here to find out about
identification requirements.

GRNC CANDIDATE
RECOMMENDATIONS

Key to listings:
Included in listings below are scores on
GRNC’s candidate survey, pro-gun voting percentage, and GRNC star
evaluation (0-star, *, **, ***, or ****, depending on how closely a
candidate
can be expected to agree with a control group of conservative gun
owners). “NR” means the candidate failed to return GRNC’s survey
which, for candidates without voting records, gives the candidate a
0-star (0) evaluation.

US PRESIDENT

Thanks to his change in position on key Second Amendment issues, DONALD
TRUMP now holds a GRNC 3-star (***) evaluation. He may or may
not be your first choice, but make no mistake: The election of Hillary
Clinton
to POTUS absolutely will allow her to make at least one (and probably
more than one) Supreme Court appointment – this from a candidate who is
on
record as saying the SCOTUS decisions affirming an individual right to
arms are “wrong.” Without doubt, such a Clinton Supreme Court would
reverse both the Heller and McDonald decisions and pave the way for
massive gun bans. Beyond Clinton’s fundamental and pervasive corruption,
she
is on record as supporting semi-auto bans, universal gun registration
(a/k/a/ “universal background checks”), and Australia-style gun
confiscation. If Democrats also gain control of the US Senate (see
below), the Senate Majority Leader will be Sen. Charles Schumer – a
dedicated, long-term opponent of gun rights. Do not for a moment think
you can “sit this one out” simply because you don’t like
either candidate. It is your duty to keep Hillary Clinton out of the Oval Office.

US SENATE

In
this closely contested race which could be key to control of the US
Senate,
GRNC-PVF recommends Republican RICHARD BURR.
With a 91%* pro-gun voting record, Burr holds GRNC’s highest 4-star
(****)
evaluation. Opponent Deborah Ross has a long history of antagonism
toward both gun rights and traditional American values. Beyond her
abysmal 21%
voting record, as NC House Judiciary Chair, Ross was responsible for
killing one of GRNC’s first Castle Doctrine bills, despite the fact that
it
had cleared the Senate and was sponsored by a fellow Democrat. In
fairness, with a 94% survey, Libertarian Sean Haugh also earned a GRNC
4-star
evaluation. Because he will likely garner less than 5% of the vote,
however, a vote for Haugh is a vote to put anti-gun Deborah Ross in the
Senate and to potentially give Hillary Clinton the votes needed to pass gun control.

US HOUSE

District 1:
With only a 33% voting record, incumbent GK
Butterfield earned only GRNC’s lowest 0-star evaluation. Unfortunately,
Republican challenger H. Powell Dew, Jr. failed to return GRNC’s
survey, also earning a 0-star evaluation. GRNC-PVF recommends Libertarian J. J. SUMMERELL (survey 95%, GRNC ****).

District 2: GRNC-PVF recommends Republican GEORGE
HOLDING. Holding scored 95% on GRNC’s survey, earning four stars (****), while challenger John McNeil refused to return the survey,
netting a 0-star evaluation.

District 3: With a 100% survey score and a 97% pro-gun voting
average, earning a GRNC four-star evaluation (****), GRNC–PVF continues to recommend incumbent WALTER JONES. Challenger Ernest
Reeves refused to return the survey, netting a 0-star evaluation.

District 4: Against longtime anti-gun Democrat David Price (0%
voting record, GRNC 0), GRNC–PVF recommends SUE GOOGE, who returned GRNC’s candidate survey with a score of 81%,
earning three stars (***).

District 5: With a 100% GRNC survey score and 100% pro-gun voting
record earning GRNC’s highest four-star evaluation (****), GRNC–PVF continues to recommend incumbent VIRGINIA FOXX
over Democrat challenger Josh Brannon, who refused to return GRNC’s survey, netting a 0-star evaluation.

District 6: Although the US House has not had any gun votes in
the 114th Congress, on the basis of his 99% survey score and GRNC four-star evaluation (****), GRNC–PVF recommends MARK
WALKER over Democrat challenger Pete Glidewell, who refused to return GRNC’s survey, netting a 0-star evaluation.

District 7: Due to his 100% pro-gun voting record, earning
GRNC’s four-star evaluation (****), GRNC–PVF recommends DAVID ROUZER over Libertarian challenger J. Wesley Casteen
(82% survey, ***).

District 8: Although the US House has not had any gun votes in
the 14th Congress, on the basis of his 100% survey score and GRNC four-star evaluation (****), GRNC–PVF recommends RICHARD
HUDSON over Democrat challenger Thomas Mills, who refused to return GRNC’s survey, netting a 0-star evaluation.

District 9: Due to his 100% pro-gun voting record, earning
GRNC’s four-star (****) evaluation, GRNC–PVF recommends ROBERT PITTENGER over Democrat challenger Christian Cano,
who refused to return GRNC’s survey, netting a 0-star evaluation.

District 10: With a 98% GRNC survey score and 100% pro-gun voting
record earning GRNC’s highest four-star evaluation (****), GRNC–PVF continues to recommend long term gun rights supporter
PATRICK McHENRY over Democrat challenger Andy Millard, who refused to return GRNC’s survey, netting a 0-star evaluation.

District 11:
Although the US House has not had any gun votes in
the 14th Congress, on the basis of his 100% survey score, leadership in
defending gun owners against federal abuses, and GRNC four-star
evaluation
(****), GRNC–PVF recommends MARK MEADOWS over Democrat challenger Rick Bryson, who refused to return GRNC’s
survey, netting a 0-star evaluation.

District 12: Against longtime anti-gun Democrat Alma Adams (11%
voting record, GRNC 0), GRNC–PVF recommends LEON THREATT, who returned GRNC’s candidate survey with a score of
85%, earning three stars (***).

District 13: This district represents a rare opportunity for gun
owners to elect a gun rights supporter who has not only talked the talk, but walked the walk. GRNC-PVF strongly recommends Republican TED
BUDD (survey 100%, GRNC **) over Democrat Bruce Davis
(survey: NR, GRNC 0). Beyond running for Congress, Budd owns a gun shop.
Frankly,
we should have recommended him in the Republican primary election, but
underestimated his ability to beat no fewer than 16 Republican
challengers.

STATEWIDE RACES

North Carolina Governor: In this critical and tightly contested
race, GRNC-PVF recommends PAT McCRORY (GRNC ***)
over longtime anti-gun Democrat Roy Cooper (58% voting record, GRNC 0).
Having, in years past, killed pro-gun legislation as NC Senate Judiciary
Chairman, Cooper will most certainly veto any pro-gun legislation GRNC
could
get passed by the legislature. Although Libertarian Lon Cecil scored 99%
on GRNC’s survey, earning four stars (****), he will draw only a few
percent of the vote, potentially helping Cooper get elected. Cooper must
be kept out of the governor’s mansion at all costs.

North Carolina Lt. Governor: GRNC-PVF recommends
incumbent DAN FOREST, who scored 95% on GRNC’s survey, earning four stars (****). Challenger Leslie Coleman, during her tenure in
the NC Senate, voted with gun owners only 67% of the time, earning a low one-star (*) evaluation.

North Carolina Treasurer: GRNC-PVF recommends DALE
FOLWELL (****) who earned a perfect 100% pro-gun voting record while in the NC House.

North Carolina Attorney General: For the open seat vacated by Roy
Cooper, GRNC – PVF recommends BUCK NEWTON for Attorney General.
In the NC Senate, Newton has been a leader for gun
rights, cementing passage of three omnibus pro-gun bills. With his 100%
survey score and 100% pro-gun voting record, Newton earned GRNC’s
highest (****) four-star evaluation. By contrast, Newton’s opponent,
anti-gun Sen. Josh Stein voted with gun owners only 38% of the time,
netting him a 0-star evaluation.

Judicial races: GRNC-PVF recommends you vote for
all of the following:

BOB EDMUNDS for NC Supreme Court
PHIL BERGER, JR. for Court of Appeals (Stephens seat)
RICHARD DIETZ for Court of Appeals (Dietz seat)
BOB HUNTER for Court of Appeals (Hunter seat)
HUNTER MURPHY Court of Appeals (Geer seat)
VALERIE J. ZACHARY for Court of Appeals (Zachary seat)

NC SENATE

Note: Only contested races are covered.

District 1: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent BILL
COOK (100% voting record, GRNC ****) over Democrat challenger Brownie Futrell (survey: NR, GRNC 0-star).

District 2: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent NORMAN
SANDERSON (100% voting record, GRNC ****) over Democrat challenger Dorothea White (survey: 68%, GRNC *).

District 4: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger RICHARD
SCOTT (survey: 95%, GRNC ****) over Democrat incumbent Angela Bryant (voting record: 22%, GRNC 0).

District 11: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
RICK HORNER (survey: 97%, GRNC ****) over Albert Pacer (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 12: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent RONALD
RABIN (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Democrat challenger Susan Byerly (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 15: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JOHN
ALEXANDER (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Libertarian Brad Hessel (survey: 94%, GRNC ****) and Democrat Laurel Deegan-Fricke
(survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 16: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent ERIC
WEAVER (survey: 100%, GRNC ****) over Democrat Jay Chaudhuri (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 17: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent TAMARA
BARRINGER (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Libertarian Susan Hogarth (survey: NR, GRNC 0) and Democrat Susan Evans (survey: NR, GRNC
0).

District 18: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent CHAD
BAREFOOT (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Democrat challenger Gil Johnson (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 19: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent WESLEY
MEREDITH (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Democrat challenger Toni Morris (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 20: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger BARBARA
HOWE (survey: 99%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Floyd B. McKissick, Jr. (voting record: 50%, GRNC 0).

District 21: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger DAN
TRAVIESO (survey: 99%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Ben Clark (voting record: 25%, GRNC 0).

District 22: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger T. GREG
DOUCETTE (survey: 99%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Mike Woodard (voting record: 0%, GRNC 0).

District 24: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent RICK
GUNN (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Democrat challenger John Thorpe (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 25: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent TOM
McINNIS (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Democrat challenger Dannie M. Montgomery (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 27: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent TRUDY
WADE (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Democrat challenger Michael Garrett (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 28: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger DEVIN R.
KING (survey: 100%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Gladys A. Robinson (voting record: 0%, GRNC 0).

District 30: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent SHIRLEY
BLACKBURN RANDLEMAN (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Democrat challenger Michael W. Holleman (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 33: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
CATHY DUNN (survey: 100%, GRNC ****) over Jim Beall Graham (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 36: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
PAUL R. NEWTON (survey: 100%, GRNC ****) over Robert Brown (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 37: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger BOB
DIAMOND (survey: 96%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Jeff Jackson (voting record: 0%, GRNC 0).

District 38: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger RICHARD
RIVETTE (survey: 99%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Joel Ford (voting record: 25%, GRNC 0).

District 39: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
DAN BISHOP (NC House voting record: 94%, GRNC ****) over Lloyd Scher (survey: 47%, GRNC 0).

District 41: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JEFF
TARTE (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****), who has sponsored pro-gun legislation and been a leader for your rights in the Senate, over
Libertarian Chris Cole (survey: 95%, GRNC ****) and Democrat Jonathan Hudson (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 44: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent DAVID L.
CURTIS (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over challenger Nic Haag (survey: 97%, GRNC ****).

District 45: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
DEANNA BALLARD (survey: 100%, GRNC ****) over Art Sherwood (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 46: GRNC-PVF recommends WARREN
DANIEL (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****), who has been a leader for your rights in the Senate, over Anne Fischer (survey: 49%, GRNC 0).

District 47: GRNC-PVF recommends RALPH
HISE (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Mary Jane Boyd (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 49: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger WILLIAM
MEREDITH (survey: 100%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Terry Van Duyn (voting record: 0%, GRNC 0).

District 50: GRNC-PVF recommends JIM
DAVIS (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Jane Hipps (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

NC HOUSE

As above, only contested races are covered.

A
large number of open seats plus a number of RINOs who voted against gun
owners
on omnibus pro-gun bill HB 562 make NC House race is critical in 2016.

Please note that GRNC-PVF is withholding recommendations for any
incumbent who voted against gun owners more than twice in the 18 floor votes for omnibus pro-gun House Bill 562 in the last session.

District 3: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent MICHAEL
SPECIALE (recent voting record: 94%, GRNC ***) over Marva Fisher Baldwin (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 6: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
BEVERLY BOSWELL (survey: 88%, GRNC ***) over Warren Judge (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 7: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger WILLIAM
DUKE HANCOCK II (survey: 81%, GRNC ***) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Bobbie J. Richardson (voting record: 9%, GRNC 0).

District 9: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
GREG MURPHY (survey: 94%, GRNC ****) over Brian Farcas (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 10: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JOHN R.
BELL (recent voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Evelyn Paul (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 11: GRNC-PVF recommends Republican challenger
RAY MARTIN (survey: 85%, GRNC ***) over Libertarian Brian Lewis (survey: 90%, GRNC ****) and anti-gun incumbent Democrat Duane Hall
(voting record: 9%, GRNC 0). (Yes, Lewis had a better survey score by 5%, but is unlikely to have the resources to win.)

District 15: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent PHILLIP
SHEPARD (voting record: 93%, GRNC ****) over Dan Whitten (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 16: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent CHRIS W.
MILLIS (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Steve Unger (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 18: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger GERALD
(JERRY) BENTON (survey: 96%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Susi Hamilton (voting record: 5%, GRNC 0).

District 25: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JEFF
COLLINS (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over James D. Gailliard (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 34: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger BILL
MORRIS (survey: 95%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Grier Martin (voting record: 24%, GRNC 0).

District 37: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
Republican LINDA HUNT-WILLIAMS (survey: 92%, GRNC ****) over Libertarian Robert Rose (survey: 95%, GRNC ****) and Democrat Randy Barrow
(survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 38: GRNC-PVF recommends Libertarian
challenger OLEN WATSON III (survey: 96%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Yvonne Lewis Holley (voting record: 9%, GRNC 0).

District 46: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
Republican BRENDEN JONES (survey: 92%, GRNC ****) over Libertarian Thomas (Tom) Howell, Jr. (survey: 98%, GRNC ****) and Democrat Tim
Benton (survey: NR, GRNC 0). (Yes, Howell had a better survey score by 6%, but is unlikely to have the resources to win.)

District 50: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger ROD
CHANEY (survey: 100%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Graig R. Meyer (voting record: 17%, GRNC 0).

District 51: GRNC-PVF recommends Libertarian
challenger JOHN SAULS (previous NC House voting record: 83%, GRNC ***) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Brad Salmon (voting record: 44%,
GRNC 0).

District 55: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent MARK
BRODY (voting record: 97%, GRNC ****) over Kim Hargett (survey: 54%, GRNC 0).

District 59: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JON
HARDISTER (voting record: 97%, GRNC ****) over Scott A. Jones (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 67: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JUSTIN P.
BURR (voting record: 96%, GRNC ****) over Carson Roger Snyder (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 69: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent DEAN
ARP (voting record: 94%, GRNC ****) over Gordon B. Daniels (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 74: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent DEBRA
CONRAD (voting record: 97%, GRNC ****) over Marilynn Baker (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 82: GRNC-PVF strongly recommends incumbent
LARRY G. PITTMAN (voting record: 97%, GRNC ****), who frequently sponsors pro-gun legislation and is a leader for your rights, over Earle
Schecter (survey: 63%, GRNC *).

District 92: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
Republican BETH DANAE CAULFIELD (survey: 98%, GRNC ****) over Democrat Chaz Beasley (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 93: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JONATHAN C.
JORDAN (voting record: 98%, GRNC ****) over Sue Counts (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 94: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JEFFREY
ELMORE (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Michael T. Lentz (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 98: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JOHN R.
BRADFORD III (voting record: 94%, GRNC ****) over Jane Campbell (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 104: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
Republican ANDY DULIN (survey: 100%, GRNC ****) over
Democrat Peter Noris (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 105: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
Republican SCOTT STONE (survey: 90%, GRNC ****) over Democrat Connie Green-Johnson (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 109: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent DANA
BUMGARDNER (voting record: 97%, GRNC ****) over Susan Maxon (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 113: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
Republican CODY HENSON (survey: 92%, GRNC ****) over Democrat Maureen Mahan Copelof (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 118: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent MICHELE D.
PRESNELL (voting record: 97%, GRNC ****) over Rhonda Cole Schandevel (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 119: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger MIKE
CLAMPITT (survey: 100%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun incumbent Joe Sam Queen (voting record: 25%, GRNC 0).

District 120: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
KEVIN CORBIN (survey: 95%, GRNC ****) over Randy Hogsed (survey: 70%, GRNC **).

This
message, supporting the candidates listed above, is authorized and paid
for
solely by the Grass Roots North Carolina Political Victory Fund. Not
authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.