H. Powell Dew (R) – Candidate for US House, North Carolina 1st District
H. Powell Dew Jr. (R), running for U.S. House of Representatives in North Carolina’s 1st District
1. Why are you running for office?
Like many other Americans, I have become dismayed at the direction our Nation has taken over the past decade. I could not be a part of the solution unless I was actively involved in the process. I could not change the outcome of the game unless I was participating on the field. I could scream, rant, fume, complain from the stands, write letters to the editor, but I would never be able to make a difference unless I was involved in the decision making process. That is what first drew me into the local political arena in my hometown, Stantonsburg. I wanted to be a part of the decision making process.
Over the past few years, I felt there was more that needed to be done besides what I was doing where I live. Yes my involvement has helped my town and community. But the issues facing our nation will not be solved on the local level.
What we see happening today would cause my grandparents to be in utter shock. The moral bedrock upon which our nation has been built – the ancient landmarks – are slowly but steadily being eroded by the well-meaning but misguided liberal agenda. Sometimes the erosions of our landmarks are intentional.
There has been a slow steady discontent in my spirit concerning our nation. If SOMEONE does not step up and enter the arena of Washington DC where our nation’s laws are written and our budget is being crafted, and hold the line – we can say good bye to the America we grew up in – if it is not already too late!
When I saw there were NO other Republican candidates willing to step up and challenge G. K. Butterfield in our newly formed district 1, I felt compelled to step up to the task. It is the right time in my life to enter the fight.
I realize I am running against a 12 year incumbent who has represented the Democratic Party very well. He has faithfully supported the policies and programs of President Obama. He has voted for Obamacare and supported the recent Iranian Nuclear Agreement. He has criticized North Carolina’s attempt to protect the integrity of our elections by requiring an ID when a person votes.
In many ways this will be a “David vs. Goliath” campaign. G. K. has hosted many meetings in our communities and had his picture taken with various people and projects in the district. He has a fully funded campaign chest ready to take on ANY and ALL
Challengers. He has accepted support from numerous Political Action Committees in Washington DC. The political machine in DC wants to keep him there!
I am not planning to stoop to the level of insulting my opponent in this election. I don’t know about you but I am thoroughly disgusted with how disrespectful and degrading our political process has become – both Democratic and Republican.
It is time for our District to have a conservative Christian Republican representing us in Washington DC.
I sat down recently and read through the NC Republican 2015 Report of the Platform Committee. I agree 100% with that document.
I believe the family is the bedrock of our nation.
I believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman.
I believe the free enterprise system is the best economic system to reward those that work hard and encourage wealth generation to provide for their families and communities.
I believe in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
I believe the fundamental role of government is to protect the inherent rights guaranteed to us in the US Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights.
Of course I believe and support the free exercise of religion and oppose any restrictions on that. I believe we should be allowed to open our public and private meetings in prayer without the interference by the courts or a few disgruntled people.
I support the second amendment and the right to bear arms and oppose any laws that restrict that constitutional right.
I believe in the sanctity of life. People can say what they want; I believe life begins at conception and should be protected. I am opposed to abortion – and most especially partial birth abortions.
I believe our federal government has taken away many of the rights and responsibilities of state governments.
I believe education is the responsibility of the parent first and the state second. I believe the federal government should pass the baton back to the states.
Our criminal system is broken. It is broken because we have broken families. Until true justice is restored in our land, we will continue to see a degradation of our communities into lawlessness. People can be arrested for selling drugs in our communities, get out on bail, and be back in business before the police officer finishes filling out the paperwork.
I believe in the death penalty. Some crimes are so awful that the only recourse is capital punishment.
I believe we are to be good stewards of our natural resources – to use them wisely but not destructively.
I believe in a strong national defense.
Our immigration laws and the pathway to citizenship are broken and they need desperate attention now.
I don’t know about you, but I think it is high time we sent someone to the US House of Representatives that is a member of the clergy that is willing to stand, even if it is alone, to hold other representatives to a higher moral standard.
2. Why should people vote for you?
I am not going to stand here and promise you anything. I am not going to promise you a “chicken in every pot” and a “Ford in every driveway.”
What I am going to promise you is that I will do my best to represent:
First – My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at every opportunity I am afforded.
Second – I will be faithful to my wife and family.
Third – I will try and represent my district fairly, honestly, and with integrity and conviction.
If I am elected, I know I will not be able to please everyone in my district. But I will remain steadfast with my convictions and will not waiver. I will strive to work with every group in our district to help our communities address their challenges and seek to find solutions.
I do not come to this decision to run for the US House of Representatives lightly. I know it will require a considerable amount of time and money to let the people in my district know who I am.
I want to thank you for your support and prayers as I begin this campaign. I want to THANK YOU in advance for your support and your vote on November 8, 2016.
3. What’s your favorite thing about the area you want to represent?
Growing up in Raleigh, I grew up with a great appreciation of the larger city and all the activities that are available there. Later I moved to Kinston, then Fremont, and now Stantonsburg. Having traveled overseas and across America, nothing compared to the people in Eastern North Carolina. The people I have come to call my family, exhibit a hard work ethic, cherish their deep roots for family and community, and demonstrate a genuine concern for their neighbor.
4. What is the biggest problem your area is facing, how will you fix it?
Probably the single most mentioned area of concern that people have expressed is the lack of good paying jobs. Over the last 20 years, the manufacturing base of our nation and community has evaporated. This shift has occurred due to more governmental regulations and increased bureaucracy. We need someone that understands government is not the solution. Setting people free from governmental overreach, reducing governmental regulations, decreasing taxes on businesses, stop so many governmental mandates will enable manufacturing to return to our area again.
5. Describe Donald Trump in max 3 words?
A Selfmade Man
6. Describe Hillary Clinton in max 3 words?
Professional Political Bureaucrat
7. What do you do for a living? Why do you do it?
I am serving as the Pastor at Fremont Missionary Baptist Church in Fremont NC. For me, it was a calling to serve the Lord by serving His people. Meeting people where they are, guiding them through life’s difficult challenges, and helping them when life gets tough. There is no greater calling – not even politics – than to serve others through the preaching and teaching of God’s Word.
8. You’re going to be marooned on a tropical island for a week, you can only bring 1 thing – what is it?
Considering I am prone to get sunburned quickly outside – SUNSCREEN.
9. What do you think of Colin Kaepernick?
Who? Oh yea! The football player that has put his cause above respect for our country. If you cannot stand for the national anthem, you can sit out the rest of the game.
10. Would you vote to fund light rail expansion in your area?
Yes. That would connect our rural areas to our more urban areas.
11. Will you respect the outcome of the election?
Once all the votes have been tallied, any discrepancies investigated, absentee votes included, provisional ballots resolved, all votes in all counties have been certified, and all parties are satisfied with the results – yes.
12. Favorite TV Show?
Antique Road Show
