Rep. Bishop touches on inflation, gas prices at Lincoln Reagan Dinner
Published 12:00 am Sunday, September 4, 2022
US Rep. Dan Bishop and Jo Bishop say the pledge of allegiance — submitted photo
Mike Toler and Elaine Hewitt
Volunteer of the Year for 2021 Erica Vedeikis, right, and Elaine Hewitt
Sheriff Kevin Auten, left, greets Travis Allen
Rep. Harry Warren is Rowan Republican of the Year 2021.
Chief Judge Donna Stroud
Chief Judge Donna Stroud
US Rep. Dan Bishop and Jo Bishop say the pledge of allegiance — submitted photo
US Rep. Dan Bishop — submitted photo
SALISBURY — The Rowan Republican Party Lincoln Reagan Dinner was held Saturday, Aug. 27, with U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop and Chief Judge Donna Stroud of the N.C. Court of Appeals as the speakers. Also in attendance was Michael Whatley, chairman of the N.C. Republican Party. The dinner was held at Baker’s Mill, owned by Ashley and Daniel Black, at 1360 Poole Road.
Bishop, currently in Congress and running for the District 8 seat, said the lens he uses to evaluate legislation is the impact on a family with two people working and with a couple of kids, trying to figure a way to send them to college while paying for gas and groceries. “Those are the people you need to think about (when casting a vote).”
In addition to addressing that “skyrocketing inflation, high gasoline prices and a focus on other nations created significant pain for the American family,” he also discussed the number of Americans dying from fentanyl and the rights of parents to be involved in decisions regarding medical procedures for minor children. Regarding the former, Bishop believes the United States immigration laws should be enforced, which does not eliminate immigration, but does vet those seeking to become Americans to remove criminals and terrorists and admit potential productive members of society. “This would reduce the amount of fentanyl coming into the country, weaken the cartels, keep many immigrants from being abused or trafficked, and reduce the stress on American communities”.
He believes his role is to give voice to the common-sense approach. Bishop said “It is not about the easy answer, it is about the right answer. One should be in congress to make a difference for Americans”.
Stroud is one of four Republican candidates for the N.C. Court of Appeals. The others are Judge Michael Stading, Judge John Tyson and Julee Flood. A repeated theme in the evening was the importance of the N.C. Court of Appeals and the N.C. Supreme Court races to counter Democrat roadblocks to Voter ID, lawful district maps drawn by the legislature, and other legislation. The vast majority of District Court appeals go no higher than the N.C. Court of Appeals.
Special recognition was given to Mike Toler, a party volunteer who was recognized for his dedication and service to the party, and Sheriff Kevin Auten, who was recognized for his service since becoming acting sheriff in December 2009 and then sheriff in March 2010. Auten congratulated Travis Allen, the Republican candidate for sheriff in the general election.
Volunteer of the Year for 2021 was Erica Vedeikis. In addition to her work with the party, Vedeikis is chairwoman of the Rowan Republican Women. In 2021, the Republican Women took an active role in supporting female Salisbury municipal candidates.
Rep. Harry Warren was named Republican of the Year for 2021. Reference was made to specific committees and legislation that he served on and was responsible for in 2021, but his role as a primary researcher and author for 2 key state laws during his service was addressed: the Voter ID law and Workmen Compensation Reform that got the state out of debt to the federal government and helped move our state towards becoming one of the most business friendly states. Rep. Julia Howard was also a primary sponsor of the Workmen Compensation Reform law.
Vice Chairman Greg Skelly led the Lincoln Reagan planning team with assistance from Tyler Smith, Jeffrey Martinez, Tonya Skelly, Erica Vedeikis and Elaine Hewitt. Hewitt emceed the evening.
