Who Didn't Show Up for the Party

Letter to the Editor

Who didn’t show up for the Party?

The Carteret County Republican Convention was Saturday, March 10, 2012 at the Leon Mann Center in Morehead City, NC. It was as inspiring as it was informative. The Who’s Who in the county GOP were in attendance; well, almost everyone. A record breaking 96 delegates and guest attended this year, including NC Senator Jean Preston, and Representatives Pat McElraft and Norm Sanderson. Every Republican candidate in the County’s state, and local elections were present to tell the convention delegates their vision and plans for the state or county if they are elected, all EXCEPT one. Frank Palombo, who is challenging Congressman Walter B. Jones in the third District House race, was at the convention. Representative Norm Sanderson, and Mayor Ken Jones, candidates for the NC Senate race to replace retiring Senator Preston were there. Representative Pat McElraft, who is unopposed in the Republican primary, was there, as were Carteret County Commissioner hopefuls Harry Taylor, Elaine Crittenton, Jimmy Farrington, Larry Land, Terry Frank, and Craig Weber. Two District Judge candidates were also at the convention, Clinton Rowe and Dave McFadyen; and Debra Goldman, candidate for State Auditor was there. Only one Republican candidate from Carteret County didn’t show up to the Republican Party convention to address the delegates. It was the one who has donated nearly 15 times more money to the NC Democrat Party and Democrat candidates than he has to Republicans because in his words “they [the Democrats] best represent the voters in Carteret County.” Randy Ramsey didn’t come to the Party to face the Republican delegates to explain why over the last 15 years he has donated so much money to the Democrat Party, or why he hasn’t been seen at any Republican functions or fundraisers. Mr. Ramsey didn’t come to the Party to explain to the Republican delegates why much of the money he has raised thus far in his bid for the District 2 Senate seat has come from Democrat donors. Mr. Ramsey didn’t even come to the Party to tell the Republican delegates how he “will best represent the voters of Carteret County.” Mr. Ramsey didn’t show up for the Party to campaign or glad-hand the delegates. I guess you could say, Mr. Ramsey was a Carteret County Republican Party pooper.

Ken Lang
Stella, NC
252-777-3066