October 14, 2010. BOONE -- Blowing Rock News attended the Oct. 14 "Meet the Candidates" forum organized by the Boone Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with Charter Communications and WATA radio. While the format was not intended to be a debate, there was lively exchange in all three races featured: U.S. House of Representatives, NC Senate, and NC House.

The North Carolina Senate's 45th District is comprised of Alexander, Ashe, Watauga, and Wilkes counties of northwestern North Carolina.  The Democratic incumbent is Steve Goss, running for his third two-year term.  He is opposed by Republican challenger Dan Soucek. Here is a quick glimpse of the candidates (alphabetical order) gleaned from their respective websites.

THE CANDIDATES

Steve Goss

Biographical:

An Ashe County native, Mr. Goss is married to the former Phyllis Johnson, who was born in Wilkes County.  They have been married for 40 years.  They have made their home in Boone for the past 20 years. They have three children.

Mr. Goss is an ordained Southern Baptist minister and former high school teacher, and varsity football coach.  He has served as pastor to churches in Ashe, Watauga, Duplin and Montgomery counties in North Carolina, as well as a church in Martinsville, Virginia. He served on a mission to Tokyo, Japan, appointed by the International Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, in 1983.

Mr. Goss has been active in community service, particularly in coaching and tutoring youth both in America and Japan.

He has a B.S. in Social Science, with a minor in Education from Appalachian State University and a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest.

Other Highlights:

• In Ashe County, served as chair of the Heart Fund Drive
• In Ashe County, past board member of Adult Developmental Assistance Program (ADAP)
• While a varsity football coach, he was president of the four-county (Ashe, Wilkes, Allegheny, and Surry) District 7, 2A Football Conference
• Has organized a successful Community Coordination Group, leading to an 80% drop in local crime within a year of its inception.
• Worked with the NAACP in Duplin County, seeking to bring a sense of fairness to all schools throughout the county, later appointed to the School-Community Relations Board

Political Leadership:

• Senate Chair, Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Transportation
• Co-Chair, Sub-Committee on Appropriations for Transportation
• Senate Chair, Joint Legislative Ethics Committee
• Member, Finance Committee
• Member, Appropriations Committee
• Member, Commerce Committee
• Member, Emergency Management Committee
• Member, Health Care Committee
• Member, Joint Oversight Committee on Education

"The real power and ability to make things happen in Raleigh comes through hard work in committees and leadership positions."

Endorsements:

• Sierra Club
• National Rifle Association
• North Carolina Association of Educators
• Conservation Council of North Carolina
• North Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists
• National Association of Social Workers

Dan Soucek

Biographical:

Dan has spent the last 20 years of his life serving our country and his community in leadership positions.

Upon graduating from West Point in 1991, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in Army Aviation. During his more than eight years on active duty, he served in a variety of leadership positions culminating as the Company Commander of the International Student Office at Ft. Rucker Alabama. His achievements include qualification in the AH-1 Cobra and UH-1 Huey helicopters, Airborne and Air Assault qualified, AH-1 Top Gun Award recipient, and Iron Aviator triathlon champion.

After resigning his commission in 1999 he moved to Boone, North Carolina to assume the role of Young Life Area Director for Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties.

In 2004 he began working as the Asia Regional Director for Operation Christmas Child at Samaritan’s Purse.His time in the Army, with Young Life and Samaritan’s Purse have given him many opportunities to serve his community as well as reach out to the impoverished and needy around the world. His duties and assignments have allowed him to work with the U.S. State Department, General Officers and religious leaders from many countries, international business leaders, and governments at all levels from customs officials to Governors, a Prime Minister, and a King.

During his time in the High Country he has served as a cross country and track coach at Watauga High School, coached youth soccer, and served as an adult and high school Sunday school teacher at Alliance Bible Fellowship.

In addition to his current position of Logistics Officer and International Disaster Manager with Samaritan’s Purse, he is the owner-operator of a local small business. Dan is an avid outdoorsman enjoying hiking, camping, running, biking, snowboarding, kayaking and ultimate frisbee. Dan and his wife Kim have been married for 15 years and have three children, Isaac, Janie Ann and Lucy.  The Souceks reside in Watauga County.

Political Leadership:

• Has not held public office
• Defeated Wilkes County resident Jeffrey Elmore (6,335-5,683) to win the Republican primary.
• Lost in race for 93rd District North Carolina House of Representatives vs. Democratic incumbent Cullie Tarleton

"North Carolina's high taxes make it harder for businesses to grow, create jobs, and compete in the global marketplace."

Endorsements:

• Virginia Foxx
• National Federation of Independent Business
• Newt Gingrich
• North Carolina Right to Life

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