Hanks' column: Let the races begin

Let’s take a closer look at some of the stories that have made the news this week in your Kinston Daily Free Press…

CANDIDATES FILING: We have some good political races shaping up in the area for the May primary and the November general election.

Most eyes – at least in our neck o’ the woods – will be on the N.C. House District 10 seat that is currently held by Democrat Van Braxton. He’ll be facing Republican Stephen LaRoque for the second straight time for the district that covers Lenoir, Greene and part of Wayne County.

Braxton defeated LaRoque in 2008, and unseated the Republican incumbent from the 10th district seat in 2006 after LaRoque lost to Willie Ray Starling in the Republican primary.

Braxton won reelection in 2008 thanks largely to a push from Obama voters – but with an obvious Obama backlash being predicted this election cycle, how much will that hurt Braxton this time? We’ll see. And despite being considered a moderate Democrat, could the state’s sickly economic situation affect Braxton?

To defeat LaRoque for a third straight time, Braxton needs to balance his solid – and very, very strong – Democratic support in the three counties while separating himself from the Obama/Bev Perdue camp.

LaRoque won Lenoir and Wayne counties in 2008, but lost so badly in Greene County that it cost him the election. To win in November, LaRoque needs to improve his performance in Greene County without losing the support of those who voted for him in Lenoir and Wayne. But a lot of people – including some in Lenoir County – see LaRoque as a divider and a negative force, as evidenced by his active stance against Kinston’s bid (and ultimate victory) as an All-America City.

His work for anti-annexation for folks out in the county should help him shore up whatever ill will is directed towards him for the All-America City, but will that be enough to upset Braxton?

That’s the premiere election in our area this year, but there are some other notable elections, including primary battles for Lenoir County school board seats in District 1 (Democratic incumbent Joey Bryan vs. challenger Bob Long) and District 2 (Republican incumbent and chairman David Fillipelli vs. challenger Lavaron Howell).

Another exciting race that involves Lenoir County is the N.C. Senate 10th District seat that is currently held by the retiring Democrat Charlie Albertson. Primary battles will involve Lenoir County Republican county commissioner Chris Humphrey taking on Brent Jackson and prominent Lenoir County Democrat businessman Gordon Vermillion facing District Attorney Dewey Hudson.

Other races to watch include the fight for Humphrey’s old seat between Democrat Tate Johnson and Republicans Harry Edwards and Eric Rouse and the Jones County’s crowded county commissioner battle, which features 12 competitors for only five seats.

PLEASE HELP THE RED CROSS: It’s this simple – the Lenoir County chapter of the American Red Cross is in dire financial straits. You can help though – and fill your belly at the same time.

All throughout our area on Friday, you can purchase BBQ or chicken plates for only $6 that will support the Red Cross. Order yours by calling 252-523-4528.

PUMPED FOR A NEW RESTAURANT: As you read in today’s paper, there is a new restaurant coming to Kinston – and I am beyond excited. East Coast Wings will be occupying the old Ham’s Restaurant on Herritage Street and is set to open in four to five weeks.

This is exciting news for sports fans in Kinston, who have virtually no where to go to watch sports on big screen TVs with a group of other sports fans. The owners will have 20 big flat-screen TVs so we NFL, NCAA basketball and MLB fans can get our fill of sports while downing Buffalo wings.

Although I enjoy other restaurants in our town, this is something Kinston has not really offered in my nearly eight years here. It’s going to be great to be able to sit with other sports fans and enjoy a game on TV – without having to go to Greenville, Raleigh or Jacksonville to do so.

Bryan Hanks’ column appears every Sunday in The Free Press. You can reach him at 252-559-1074 or at bhanks@freedomenc.com. Check out Bryan’s blog at bhanks.encblogs.com.