By Staff
Republicans elect county chairman, discuss issues
By TED STRONG
Staff Writer
Two candidates for chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party addressed Beaufort County GOP faithful Wednesday night at the Beaufort County Republican Party Convention. They emphasized the importance of re-energizing the party and raising money.
One candidate, former Raleigh Mayor Tom Fetzer, touted his experience leading large organizations, including the one that organizes the U.S. Open. He also emphasized his fundraising skills as a mayoral candidate and mayor.
The other candidate, Chad Adams, vice president for development at the John Locke Foundation — a conservative Raleigh-based think tank — said he would devote himself full-time to the position and also lauded his fundraising ability.
Adams said the party needs to better accommodate issue-based Republicans.
The party must return to its roots, emphasizing low taxes, property rights and limited government, he said.
Fetzer emphasized a grass-roots approach to re-energizing the party.
And Fetzer also said Republicans needed to do better on limited-government values.
Both candidates also pushed re-electing U.S. Sen. Richard Burr and gaining ground in the state legislature ahead of redistricting based on the 2010 census.
Larry Britt, who was elected the party’s new county chairman, also addressed the convention.
He said: “Our job is to become involved, define the issues, find the people and make it happen.”
Cutline for corresponding photo: Lee County resident Chad Adams, center, who is running for state GOP chairman, chats with Bob Pruett, left, 3rd GOP District chairman, and Bill Tarpenning of Bath prior to Wednesday night’s Beaufort County Republican Party Convention. Former Raleigh Mayor Tom Fetzer also addressed the convention crowd. (WDN Photo/Paul Dunn)