Ric Killian considering run in new NC-13

With the chaos created by the Federal courts throwing out the maps for 2 of North Carolina's 13 US Congressional districts and the NCGA taking the opportunity to re-draw boundaries across the entire state in response, there is a lot of "considering" going on when it comes to who is going to jump into which race for Congress.

Nowhere is that more true than the proposed new NC 13th running from Iredell heading east across Davie, Davidson, Rowan, and Guilford Counties.  The current 13th is held by Republican George Holding, but he has decided to challenge Renee Elmers in the 2nd under the new maps.  That means the 13th is an open seat, and like all open seats it's attracting a lot of challengers.

Depending on who you believe and how you count, it could be as many as 10 - possibly more.

A number of those likely candidates are legislators taking advantage of a bit of self dealing benefiting only themselves.  Under the special rules passed for just this Congressional election, legislators are allowing candidates (meaning primarily themselves) to run in more than one race at a time.  Legislators can run in the March 15th NCGA primary and then turn around the next day and file to run for Congress in the special Congressional election currently scheduled for June 7th.

If a candidate wins both primaries, they have to pick one race to pursue, but for legislators in safe seats it's a sweet deal they gave themselves.  They can run for Congress risk free, and if they lose they head back to their safe seat in the general assembly.

One candidate whose name recently entered the mix will be a familiar name to Lake Norman area voters.  Colonel Ric Killian who ran in 2012 in the old NC-9 district is seriously looking at a run in the new NC-13.

Killian is currently on duty serving as an instructor at the Army War College in Carlisle, PA.  In April he will be retiring as a full colonel after a 30 year career in the military and heading back to North Carolina.  So, in some ways the chaos caused by the courts and the schedule conveniently arranged by legislators could not be more perfect for him if he decides to run.

We were a fan of Killian's when he ran for Congress in 2012, so the possibility of him stepping up again is exciting.  He ran strong in South Iredell in that campaign and should do well there again if he makes another attempt.  Incidentally, when Killian ran last time he himself was a State House member in a safe seat representing Charlotte in the NCGA.  However, he had to choose to give up that seat to make a run for Congress.  He didn't have the luxury of a fallback plan to stay in elected office like today's legislators - making his a much more politically courageous decision.

Here's what we had say about Killian back then:

"Ric Killian has the trifecta of foreign policy, legislative, and business experience that will allow him to hit the ground sprinting in Congress.  None of the other candidates can match that.  His military background will allow him to step into some of the same areas where Sue Myrick has been effective such as defense and intelligence.  Having served on active duty in both Iraq and Afghanistan, he knows more than any other potential member of congress what war truly means and how the military should be used.  His legislative background provides the lengthy history needed for conservative voters to feel comfortable with his approach to government.  Killian received A ratings from the conservative group Civitas Action before it was "hip" to be conservative in the NC Legislature - meaning before the Republicans were in the majority.  Killian received some of his highest ratings while in the minority when it took real political courage to cast those votes.  His business background ensures he will minimize wasteful spending wherever possible.  He regularly sites the national debt as the highest risk to this country, and he has shown how to reign in spending in his leading role in overhauling the State transportation budget using zero based budgeting to eliminate waste."

Those words were true in 2012, and they are even more true now.

With groups like ISIS on the rise, the national debt passing $19 trillion, and an ascendant Russia on the global stage, it's encouraging to have candidates like Ric Killian willing to step forward.  Our country needs leaders with his kind of experience, not politicians looking to take advantage of rules they themselves made.

Take a look at Killian's 2012 campaign video if you need more proof he's the right candidate for the job.

Here's hoping he decides to run!!!

Local Rail Transit in the Crosshairs

Seemingly out of nowhere, every high-dollar rail transit project on the CATS project list has suddenly come under serious fire. 

The Red Line missteps have been well documented here in this blog and elsewhere, but in the last few days the Charlotte Streetcar and even the Blue Line Extension are no longer the sure things once predicted.

This week's Charlotte City Council defeat of the City Manager's budget proposal was at least partially driven by the high cost of the Streetcar funding included in the budget's capital plan - $119 million in bonds that would be paid for by a large property tax increase.  After last November's elections and the near sweep of City Council by the Democrats, passage of the budget and the Streetcar funding seemed a sure thing.  Tuesday's 5-6 vote with 4 Dems voting with the Council's 2 Republicans came as a total shock - particularly to Mayor Foxx who has long been a Streetcar proponent.  When this budget ordinance comes back around later this month, don't be surprised is the Streetcar is the major spending item that is not on the list.  See this Observer article for more background.

Even more surprising is the risk posed to the Blue Line Extension to UNCC in northeast Charlotte by the State Legislature.  The State Senate has passed a budget amendment that removes funding for Charlotte rail projects which would effectively kill the BLE.  While this is an outside possibility, polling shows that it would be supported statewide if not by the entire local legislative delegation - both Republicans and Democrats.  Mecklenburg Republican, Ric Killian, has proposed a gas tax cap that will likely be voted on this session.  If it passes, recent polling by Civitas shows that funding for mass transit is the top target of taxpayers if gas tax revenue is reduced.  See question #9 on these recent polling results.  59% of respondents say cut mass transit first if the gas tax cap brings in less revenue.  The next closest is "New Road Construction" at 27%.  If the gas tax cap passes, this will give them political cover to pull BLE funding.

Oh what a difference six months makes.

NC-9 Congressional: The Case for Killian

I started this blog to support conservative candidates and push for conservative principles.  If I did not think Ric Killian was the hands down best choice in this race, I would not have written this piece. 

If you step back and take an objective look at the maelstrom that has become the Republican primary for NC-9, it's hard to not think "what a mess!"  The primary for this relatively safe Republican seat has been reduced to negative bickering and name calling between some candidates, while several others proceed with chances that are slim to none of even getting to a run-off.  How this mess is resolved is important.  I say this is a relatively safe seat because if the wrong candidate is chosen it could actually put this seat in play this November.

Throughout all of this, one candidate has remained poised and refused to get down in the muck.  That candidate is Colonel Ric Killian - the State Legislator for District 105 in South Charlotte.  When you compare him and his record to the other candidates as well as think about the campaign this fall, I find it hard to see how he is not the best name to represent the Republicans against Jennifer Roberts.

The Morning Line on NC-9

The coming weeks in the NC-9 Congressional horse race will see lots of jockeying for position.  As candidates enter the homestretch in these final 3 weeks before the primary on May 8th, there are several upcoming events people can attend to learn more.  Two of the biggest will be debates in Iredell and Mecklenburg Counties.  Check the below Facebook links for the details.

4/17 - Iredell County Republican Party 9th District Congressional Debate
4/24 - MeckYR 9th District Congressional Debate

Pointing out the "best conservative" appears to make the less conservative nervous

In Monday's post, "NRCC: 'On the Radar' But Off Target on NC-9", I clearly pointed out why I think Ric Killian is the best conservative in the NC-9 race.  It did not take long for the responses to come in.  Apparently, pointing out who is the "best" choice makes people nervous.  I imagine that to be the case when the only replies generated were based on misdirection and incomplete information.

It was an interesting day.

NRCC: "On the Radar" But Off Target on NC-9

The National Republican Congressional Committee has just released their updated list of "On the Radar" candidates in their "Young Guns" program.  Three of the eleven candidates in the Republican primary for NC-9 made the list.

To me, the NRCC appears more interested in playing it safe by supporting candidates who will have across-the-aisle appeal to Democrats  or who can self-fund, rather than picking candidates with the strongest conservative resume.  Both the Rothenberg and Cook political analysis sites show NC-9 as a strong Republican seat with Rothenberg rating it safe Republican and Cook showing the seat with a strong Republican tilt.  With those characteristics, we should be trying to get the best conservative elected and not just any Republican. 

That "best conservative" is Ric Killian - the current State Representative for NC-105 in South Charlotte.

NC-9 Roundup

Seen today at Don Reid's weekly Thursday breakfast - Andy Dulin and Mike Steinberg.  This conservative meetup has been going on for many years and is worth a look if you are in South Charlotte early on a Thursday.  The questions are tough but fair as Councilman Dulin found out this morning, but the group is always welcoming.  During election season, stop by the Skyland Family Restaurant on South Blvd and meet some candidates. 

Heard today that the Robert Pittenger campaign is running some phone polls.  If you happen to have received one, drop me a comment.  I'd be interested in hearing what you thought of it.

And most importantly...

State Representative and Army Reserve Colonel Ric Killian returned safely from his tour of duty in Afghanistan Thursday afternoon.  Rep Killian came in a solid number 2 during the Meck GOP straw poll conducted a couple weeks ago - without being able to campaign in person.  The Killian family has been busy carrying the campaign load while he has been on active duty, and Ric's return to the campaign trail will certainly shake things up as he adds his conservative voice to the discussion.

UPDATE: Ric Killian back from Afghanistan, turns to Congressional campaign  -CharlotteObserver.com

Local Media Takes Potshot at Legislator Serving in War Zone

Last night, WSOC-TV aired a piece that went after Charlotte area legislators who have missed votes.  See the clip here.

Some legislators undoubtedly deserved the uncomfortable spotlight, but pointing out that South Charlotte legislator (and US NC-09 candidate) Ric Killian has missed a number of votes without providing more detail as to why is a classic example of a media hit piece that biases the story by leaving out some important details.

So, as Paul Harvey used to say..."and now, for the rest of the story."