By Liz Moomey
liz.moomey@salisburypost.com

Brad Jenkins says he wants to be an effective conservative in Raleigh, and he is challenging incumbent Rep. Larry Pittman for the District 83 House seat.

Jenkins, who lives in China Grove, said the district has been left behind by its current leadership. The district is not going to become more rural, he says.

He said Pittman has been ineffective for so long, and District 83 residents need an effective representative.

“I’m running because people need a voice, a real voice,” Jenkins said.

As a Republican state representative, Jenkins said he would represent all the people of the district no matter if they have different political views.

He said District 83 should get some of the benefits the rest of the state is getting.

Jenkins said he has a willingness to listen to people and understands the value of compromise. If every bill had to be perfect, Jenkins said, it would never pass.

“We can get a lot done if we give and take,” Jenkins said.

Issues on which Jenkins is concentrating are valuing education, pro-life objectives, economic development, supporting the military, protecting the Second Amendment, supporting farmers and ranchers, lawful immigration, fiscally responsible taxation, adding jobs and “cutting red tape” for businesses.

According to his campaign website, he is focusing on a simple idea: Let’s get back to our faith, family and freedom. 

Jenkins served in the Army and was a pastor, having started a couple of churches.

He said he made a comment at a church service recently that God wants people to be public servants. One member, a 90-year-old woman, came up to him and asked what he does personally. He then decided to run for the legislature after getting the support of his family and church.

Jenkins announced his run Aug. 21, getting an early start despite the fact that there’s a municipal election in November before the March primary.

Jenkins said because the filing period is in December, he doesn’t want to take focus away from the holidays and that people deserve to spend time with their families. He will be getting to know the people of District 83 on a personal level, he said.

A Democratic challenger has already emerged to Pittman, too. Gail Young, who lost the District 83 House seat to Pittman in 2018, announced her candidacy in June. Young lost in 2018 with 47.22% of the vote.

Pittman has said 2020 will be his last race for N.C. House. He has served four and a half terms in the legislature.