Paul Stam
Republican Paul “Skip” Stam has served in the N.C. House of Representatives for 12 years. However, he doesn’t feel his work in the House is done and he is seeking to reclaim the District 37 seat on Nov. 6.
Stam will face off against Democrat challenger Jason Wunsch.
Stam, 62, has lived in North Carolina for 50 years. He attended elementary school in North Carolina and later relocated to New Jersey where he graduated from high school. He moved back to the state when he joined the U.S. Marine Corps at age 18 and served for two years.
Stam decided to run for public office when he was encouraged to do so by other Republicans.
“I first ran for public office at the request of state party officials who knew of my pursuit of justice and limited government,” Stam said.
During his time in office, Stam has served as the minority and majority leader for the North Carolina House of Representatives. He said he feels he has accomplished a lot during his time in leadership.
“First in the minority and then as majority leader, I have recruited quality candidates and grown our delegation to be a dynamic majority, limiting the size and scope of state government while pursuing justice.”
However, Stam said there’s more work to be done.
“Our state government needs to live within its means and reduce its scope of authority to those items which are essential to the maintenance of justice, infrastructure, sound education and a sound economy.”
If re-elected, Stam said there is a lot he would like to accomplish.
“In 2013 the three major reforms that will take the most effort and time are education reform, state tax reform and regulatory reform. The situation in all three currently is stifling our economy and our people,” he said. “I have successfully represented the Holly Springs area and will continue to work very hard to earn the respect of its people.”
He also would focus on increasing business in North Carolina. Stam said North Carolina’s tax rates aren’t comparable to neighboring states and there too much business regulation.
Outside of serving in the N.C. House of Representatives, Stam served as the Apex town attorney for three years. He also is a member of the Holly Springs, Apex and Fuquay-Varina Chambers of Commerce.
Jason Wunsch
Jason Wunsch, 38, said it was the love of his daughter and his concern for the children in North Carolina that made him decide to throw his hat into the political ring.
Wunsch, a Democrat, will face off on Nov. 6 against Republican Paul “Skip” Stam for the N.C. House of Representatives District 37 seat. Wunsch moved to North Carolina 25 years ago. He has served as the president of the Harnett County Bar Association and president of the Lillington Rotary Club.
He said public education needs to be a priority as the state moves forward.
“I am running because I care about my daughter’s future and the future of all of our children. North Carolina currently ranks 49th in the nation in classroom spending, behind Mississippi and South Carolina. We can and must do better,” he said. “I am in favor of strengthening public education by adequately funding our state’s budget for teachers and teacher assistants in the classroom.
“I will support legislation that helps build North Carolina’s community colleges and universities to prepare people to enter the workforce.”
Wunsch wants to eliminate wasteful spending and support legislation that attracts economic development in North Carolina, especially small businesses.
He favors legislation that would assist injured workers, supports legislation that would protect victims of domestic violence and would call for funding of organizations that seek to reform juveniles.
He also would support long-term plans to protect the North Carolina Coastal Region and legislation that provides fairness to state employees. Wunsch also opposes any legislation that interferes with a person’s right to vote.
If elected, Wunsch said he hopes to set straight the state of North Carolina.
“My opponent has been in office for ten years and has focused on social issues while our unemployment rate in this state has soared. I will focus on job creation and strengthening our public school system.”
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