To the Editor:

As a State Representative, I am fully aware that politics is not for the faint of heart.  Any elected official understands that they will be judged on their voting record and I stand on my record over the years.  But when people distort that record, you must defend yourself and those who stand with you.

Upon hearing of my legislative colleague Norman Sanderson’s intention of running for State Senate, I promptly endorsed his candidacy.  I have personally witnessed his conservative values and work ethic in the State House and have no doubt he will be a strong conservative voice for Carteret, Craven and Pamlico counties.  After lending my initial endorsement, I made no other public comment. I thought that was the right thing to do as a Republican to let the candidates fight this out.  However, I can no longer remain silent since I, personally,and 67 other Republican Legislators have been brought into this with the latest Randy Ramsey Ad and flyer.

State Senate candidate Randy Ramsey recently aired a radio ad and sent out a mailer that accused Representative Sanderson of voting to implement ObamaCare.  I was the co-sponsor of the bill that was referenced (HB115) and it was supported by every Republican member of the House as well as 18 conservative Democrats.  Only the most liberal Democrats voted against this largely procedural bill that saved North Carolina taxpayers countless dollars.  In fact, the full title of the legislation was An Act to Preserve State-Based Authority to Regulate the North Carolina Health Insurance Market and Prevent Federal Encroachment on State Authority by Establishing the North Carolina Benefit Exchange.  As the name implies, it was designed to limit the power of ObamaCare.  Randy Ramsey’s blatant misrepresentation of this bill was not only an attack on Norman Sanderson but on every Republican who voted for this piece of common-sense legislation.

The very first piece of business for the Republican led legislature in 2011 was passing House Bill #2, entitled Protect Health Care Freedom.  I was proud to co-sponsor that bill with Representative Sanderson, knowing that it protected North Carolina’s citizens from ObamaCare and the overreaching authority of the Federal Government into your health care decisions.  That important piece of legislation would be law today if had not been vetoed by Governor Bev Perdue.

For anyone to say that Norman Sanderson, myself or any Republican legislator supports ObamaCare is outrageous and a blatant misrepresentation of the facts.  Randy Ramsey has either chosen to resort to distortion in a desperate attempt to gain votes or he has not researched the information his campaign team is releasing.  Either way, the practice is unacceptable and should immediately cease.

Pat McElraft
Emerald Isle, NC
District 13 State Representative