Bill Daughtridge for North Carolina Treasurer

With N.C. Rep. Bill Daughtridge looking to join three Twin Counties natives in the top echelon of the state's executive branch, local officials say the heavy representation can only be a plus for the area.

If elected, Daughtridge, R-Nash, would join Gov. Mike Easley and N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper – both of Rocky Mount – as well as N.C. Revenue Secretary Norris Tolson, who hails from Pinetops.

With that kind of local presence in Raleigh, officials said they have confidence that the state government understands the issues pertinent to the Twin Counties area.

"I think anytime you have a local person in a major office on the state level, it's going to be beneficial," said Rocky Mount Mayor Fred Turnage. "Anyone from the East would hopefully understand our issues better than anyone else."

Of particular benefit, officials said, is having Easley in the governor's office. Though they don't expect anyone to play favorites, they noted that a governor from the area is more likely to recognize the disparities between the western and more impoverished eastern half of the state.

"If a governor is born and raised in Charlotte or Concord, they don't understand the particular plight of Eastern North Carolina," said David Farris, former chairman of the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce. "It's hard to envision as you go through Eastern North Carolina, unless you're from here, the stark difference between west of I-95 and east of I-95."

While they're glad to have the representation, officials were at a loss to explain the phenomenon. Daughtridge said he thinks the area has a reputation for civic participation.

"Rocky Mount has always been a responsive community to community needs," he said. "I think that spirit of giving back has created good leadership."

Others agreed, saying the leadership reflects well on the area.

"I think it's a testament to the character and the way people are raised in this area that they have the opportunity to step up and be leaders," said Edgecombe County Manager Lorenzo Carmon. "That situation didn't come overnight. They've paid their dues."