By David Rogers. February 13, 2012. BOONE -- Among the first to file today at the Watauga County Board of Elections was Blowing Rock resident Cullie Tarleton, seeking to reclaim the NC House of Representatives District 93 seat he lost in 2010 to Jonathan Jordan. File photo.

Tarleton told Blowing Rock News after filing, "I am excited to be running again for the North Carolina House, to represent the citizens of Watauga and Ashe counties (District 93). I am running because I believe in the goodness, greatness, and exciting future of North Carolina and, especially, Watauga and Ashe."

The former broadcast industry executive said that he is particularly concerned about the state's public education system. "We all know what has happened in Raleigh this past session," he explained. "We've seen the cuts in education at all levels.  We've seen teacher layoffs across our state, (including) college and community college staff and faculty."

He added, "We've seen the lack of civility, the post-midnight (legislative) sessions, and the lack of transparency. I am running because I want North Carolina to be a leader in providing the very best education possible for our young people.  I am running because I want to support our teachers, not lay them off or make their jobs more difficult. I'm running because I want North Carolina to have jobs for all of our working citizens.  I am running because I wan to represent the middle class citizens of our district so that they can provide for their families. I am running to represent small businesses that are the real job creators in our district. I want North Carolina to be a business-friendly state that welcomes outside businesses to move here and provide jobs."

In his previous tenure in the State House, Tarleton received high praise for his communications with the public voters. "When I served before," he noted, "keeping citizens of the district informed about what is going on in Raleigh was a priority.  Party affiliation did not matter. I worked for you, getting things done for the district. If I am successful (in a re-election bid), that is what I will do again."

The longtime Blowing Rock resident is active in the community, including a member of The Rotary Club of Blowing Rock and Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church.

OTHER CANDIDATES FILING TODAY

Monday was the first day for candidates filing for their election bids at the Watauga County Board of Elections. In addition to the NC House of Representatives District 93 (Tarleton is the only candidate filing in Watauga County so far), eight additional candidates filed for five public offices.

DISTRICT 1 -- Watauga County Commissioner

• Virginia Roseman, Boone (DEMOCRAT)

DISTRICT 2 -- Watauga County Commissioner

• John Welch, Boone (DEMOCRAT)
• VinceGable, Boone (REPUBLIC)

DISTRICT 3 -- Watauga County Commissioner

• Billy Kennedy, Vilas (DEMOCRAT)

REGISTER OF DEEDS

• JoAnn Townsend, Boone (REPUBLICAN)

WATAUGA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

• Deborah B. Greene, Boone
• Jay Fenwick, Todd
• Barbara Kinsey, Deep Gap

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