Daughtridge launches campaign

By Mike Hixenbaugh
Rocky Mount Telegram

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

On the same day he filed his candidacy for state treasurer, N.C. Rep. Bill Daughtridge, R-Nash, met Monday with more than 100 supporters at a Presidents' Day barbecue rally at Nash County Community College.

Daughtridge, a Rocky Mount native serving his third term in office, is running a campaign that highlights his experience as a businessman, he said.

"My whole thing is, as a business person I understand how bureaucracies can be frustrating for people," Daughtridge said. "I understand that we need more business in government and less government in business."

During his brief address before a mostly Republican crowd, Daughtridge spoke about the issues that would most concern him as treasurer. Although he acknowledges having fundamental differences with incumbent N.C. State Treasurer Richard Moore, he avoided finger-pointing and partisan bashing during the speech.

That was intentional, he said.

"I've seen first-hand how bad politics can get in the way of good fiscal policy," Daughtridge said, referring to his time on

the N.C. House Finance Committee. "I won't let politics get in the way of serving the interests of all North Carolinians."

In 2008, state officials are faced with a pivotal moment in history, Daughtridge said. North Carolina has become the 10th largest state in the U.S. and remains one of the fastest-growing states in the nation.

The state treasurer, Daughtridge said, must be prepared to harness "runaway government spending" and make decisions that won't hamstring the state in the coming decades.

"The treasure has a pivotal roll in assuring we are heading on the right path," Daughtridge said in a Telegram interview prior to the event. "The treasurer issues the debt for the state. We retain that debt over the next 20 years, so it is essential that, for the investments we make today, that we have a return on those investments in the future."

Daughtridge, the president of Daughtridge Gas and Oil Co., touted his long history in private business. It is, he said, what separates him from his Democratic opponents, David Young and Janet Cowell.

"My career is founded in business, not government," Daughtridge said. "Plans for our future will mean absolutely nothing if we are unable to execute those plans."

Prior to Daughtridge's speech, Danny Jones read a Presidents' Day tribute to Francis Scott Key, author of "The Star Spangled Banner." Afterward, Maureen Kroncke sang two verses of the song, asking the crowd to dwell on the meaning behind Key's words.

"Today being Presidents' Day, it is important we remember our past leaders," Daughtridge said.