In his first shot at public office, Andrew Poston wants to be a “fresh face for a better North Carolina.”

Poston, a masters student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, is challenging state Rep. Harry Warren for the 77th District NC House seat. Poston filed for the seat on Dec. 3. The pair will face off in the March 2016 Republican Primary.

Poston listed a number of priorities if elected to office, including: raising teacher and police pay, working with federal elected officials to improve the Salisbury VA hospital, getting lobbyists out of politics, returning integrity to Raleigh and protecting First and Second Amendment rights. His campaign slogan is a “fresh face for a better North Carolina.”

He lives near Faith, graduated from East Rowan High School and received a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from UNC-Charlotte. He currently works at Dick’s Sporting Goods while studying for a master’s degree in teaching at UNC- Charlotte.

Poston is an Eagle Scout. He has served as a volunteer with Toys for Tots, volunteered in Rowan-Salisbury School System classrooms and as camp staff for the Rowan Museum History Camp. He attends Organ Lutheran Church.

Poston’s mother and father are Pete and Salena. He has two brothers — Hunter and Jacob.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.