Daughtridge steps into ring for run at NC Secretary of Treasury

By J.D. Walker -- Staff Writer, The Courier-Tribune

ASHEBORO - Anyone who has bought gas in North Carolina and read the sticker detailing how much tax money the government collected on that purchase has had a little contact with one of the candidates for North Carolina Secretary of Treasury.

State Rep. Bill Daughtridge, R-Nash, said he came up with the idea of posting stickers on the gas pumps to let people know just how the state and federal governments are impacting their wallets. He was in Asheboro Tuesday promoting his run for office in the upcoming election.

Daughtridge is expected to face off against Republican state Rep. Dale Folwell of Winston-Salem in May's primary for the council of state seat. The winner will battle for votes against one of the three Democrats running.

Richard Moore, current state treasurer, will not run for re-election to his seat. He is concentrating on a bid for the governor's seat.

Daughtridge said getting the stickers on gas pumps was a natural concern. Daughtridge is president of Daughtridge Gas & Oil Company of Rocky Mount and Daughtridge Gas Company in Greenville and Roanoke Rapids, a family-operated business his grandfather founded in 1929.

He said he has spent his political career since his 2002 election to the House of Representatives advocating for small businesses and for economic development.

Daughtridge said his main concerns as state treasurer, if elected, will be education, infrastructure and economic incentives.

He said he believes that North Carolina can only survive in a global economy by providing training and retraining workers through the state's colleges and community colleges.

"The economic model that has enabled us to survive the past half century is being radically altered," he said. "North Carolina can use this turbulence to its advantage with a productive education system or it can be left behind."

As state treasurer, Daughtridge said he would work with local governments to ensure the proper planning for infrastructure like water and sewer. He is proud of work he did in the legislature to sponsor the water and sewer bond referendum. He also advocates expanding the network of state highways and improving the maintenance of existing roads so that businesses can efficiently move people and products.

When it comes to economic incentives, Daughtridge said he has pushed in the Southern Legislative Conference for a moratorium on state-sponsored economic incentives to companies in the region.

"We'd like for all of us to just cut it out and save us all money," he said.

Daughtridge said he would bring a long-term vision to the office of state treasurer.

"Of all the council of state offices, the treasurer has to have the longest vision. He has to be looking 20-25 years out," said Daughtridge. "I believe the combination of my business background and government experience allow me to do that."

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