Tillman Wins Easily in Senate 29
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State Sen. Jerry Tillman easily held off two Moore County challengers Tuesday in the Republican primary for the newly configured 29th District.
According to unofficial returns with all of the precincts reporting, Tillman received 18,203 votes, or 67 percent. John Marcum, of Pinehurst, was a distant second with 4,660 votes, or 17 percent, followed by Tommy Davis, of Aberdeen, with 4,247 votes, or 15 percent.
The district includes all of Moore County and most of Randolph County. Both are heavily Republican counties.
Tillman, of Archdale in Randolph County, is all but assured re-election since no Democrat filed for the seat this year.
“I feel good about the results,” Tillman said Tuesday night. “I got a strong vote in Randolph County. Being new to Moore County, I was just hoping to win. I am pleased with how overwhelming my support was there. I am thrilled to be representing Moore County. I really got a lot of support in Moore County. I am very humbled by it.”
Under redistricting enacted last year, Moore County was moved from the 22nd Senate District, represented by Sen. Harris Blake, to the 29th District. Blake, a Pinehurst Republican, did not seek re-election and endorsed Tillman.
Tillman handily carried both counties, garnering 7,563 votes in Moore and 10,281 in Randolph, according to the unofficial returns. Marcum was second in Moore County with 3,305 and Davis with 1,663. Davis wound up second in Randolph with 2,584 votes, while Marcum had 1,355.
While Tillman will not face Democratic opposition in November, he said he will focus his efforts on making sure Republicans maintain control of the N.C. General Assembly and that Pat McCrory is elected governor.
“Now I can help raise money for other Senate races and for Pat McCrory,” he said. “There is still a lot of work left to be done. I am just glad I don’t have to worry about a race in November.”
Tillman, 71, a retired school administrator, said he “feels good” about McCrory’s chances in November.
“I think you will see a more cooperative relationship between the General Assembly and the governor,” Tillman said. “He is not a radical right-winger. He’ll work with both sides. He has been that type of leader.”
During the campaign, Tillman promoted his leadership role in the Senate as majority whip and his increased clout since Republicans took control of the General Assembly two years ago.
He was first elected to the state Senate in 2002 in a district that then included Randolph and Montgomery counties.
“I feel like I have a lot to offer and will be an effective representative for Moore County,” Tillman said.
One of the first things Tillman said he wants to see happen during the upcoming short session of the General Assembly is legislation to lower and cap the state’s gas tax. He said he does not have a specific figure in mind at this point.
He also said the formula that is used to automatically raise or lower the tax also needs to be reformed.
“We have to reform this. We need to do some work on that,” he said. “The tax needs to be lowered.”
Tillman said he is also optimistic about legislation he has co-sponsored to eliminate tenure for public school teachers, add five days to the school calendar and require that third-graders be held back until they attend summer reading camps if they fail to meet reading requirements. He said the General Assembly needs to come up with $40 million to $50 million for educational improvements.
“We will find the money to get this passed,” Tillman said.
As for the budget, Tillman said the situation facing the state in the next two years won’t be as dire as last year, when the state faced a $2.5 billion shortfall.
Tillman also repeated his position that he supports fracking, “with the understanding that we have the proper safeguards in place.” He said in an earlier interview that he does have “environmental concerns” and that there are “risks.”
“We can’t close the door on this,” he said. “This is something we need to pursue. We need to explore all our energy sources. We also need to protect our water. We will come back with the necessary safeguards.”
Contact David Sinclair at (910) 693-2462 or dsinclair@thepilot.com.
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Comments
cmptrepair 1 year ago
maybe senator tillman might consider legislation to allow roadside clutter to begin 3 months before early voting. then he might not have to be labeled as a violator of the laws he supports.
SoPinesNo1 1 year ago
It speaks a lot of Mr. Tillman to win so convincingly in the home county of his two opponents. Congratulations, Mr. Tillman.
cmptrepair 1 year ago
SoPinesNo1 but wasn't it ok for him to violate election laws? he did you know! but thats all right he is above the law since he carried the vote in moore county and randolph county, art pope will gladly pay his puny fines, thats ok though. he just makes laws that hurt the working class of folks.
Bflat 1 year ago
This election just goes to show that Politicians can "buy" the election so they can continue their agenda. Tillman is fueled by Art Pope and the Civatas group. He plans to put an end to teacher tenure and is behind other changes that will hurt the education of our children. Yet, people just line and vote mindlessly without considering what he is doing is harmful. He is also for fracking...so, I am sure that when there is no good drinking water left in Moore County, all that voted for him will be drinking it. Does anyone really care about anything? ! ! !
Oh yeah...noticed Tommy Davis was 2nd in votes in Randolph County.
JD 1 year ago
Sad day all in all. Puppy mills are ok, fracking is ok, NC doesn't like homosexuals and now we affirmed it. Sad day indeed.
A friend let me know the last time we amended our state constitution was to outlaw interracial marriage, funny we have not changed much since the '60's.
getreal 1 year ago
Wasn't Tillman behind the amendment? If so, way to go NC another stupid choice!
lakeview 1 year ago
"Another stupid choice." "Sad day indeed." Huh?? Apparently the majority of voters don't feel the same way you two do.
Comptrepair- What point are you trying to make saying that TD came in second in Randolph county? There really is no second place. You either win or you lose.
Arestorer 1 year ago
There really is no second place. You either win or you lose.; Well NC lost then........
JD 1 year ago
Very true Arestorer, NC lost alot on Tuesday.
cmptrepair 1 year ago
mark metcalf aka lakeview i think it is something to think about dude. no pacs, no special interests groups, didn't accept any money from anyone. didn't put out road clutter, no robo calls, no flyers, no nothing but his name on the ballot. and tillman and marcum spent how much? a big deal to me and several thousand others. but then again you don't like tommy because he doesn't agree with you or joe garrison. that's that dude.
JoeGarrison 1 year ago
Well I dunno whats worse, the fact that 16% of the people thought Tommy Davis was worthy of a vote, or the fact that Marcum hardly beat him. Tommy Davis has no principles. He runs as a republican, but routinely bashes conservatives and conservative principles, and supports Barack Obama. So now cmptrepair who sounds a lot like Toda( aka Tommy Davis) wants to whine when again the people clearly reject Tommy Davis as a serious candidate. Grow up. You lost get over it. Congrats to Tillman on his primary win. As for Marcum, he needs to take a hint.
JoeGarrison 1 year ago
Well said Lakview.
Bflat 1 year ago
You ought to see what people are saying on the Visit NC facebook site about Amendment One passing. Most do not plan to travel to our State and will vacation elsewhere. Many are considering moving away. NC is being bashed as a place that discriminates against singles with family, the unmarrieds, and others.
Jibbs 1 year ago
Bflat: So you're saying that since this amendment passed, liberals are going to avoid traveling here and many are even going to move away? It's a Win-Win! This day just keeps gettin' better.
Bflat 1 year ago
Those posting on the Visit NC site may not be liberals. As a point of information, take a look at the many comments that have been posted there.
JoeGarrison 1 year ago
So let me get this straight, B flat, you are saying that people are not going to come to our beautiful beaches, golf courses, mountains and other wonderful features because we have a amendment that 29 other states have? HAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAAHHAA........ahahaha.......oh wait you were being serious?
Jibbs 1 year ago
Well, one thing is for sure. I'm glad that the "regulars" on the Pilot's comment section don't accurately represent the state as a whole....much less Moore county.
lakeview 1 year ago
bflat- who cares what they think
Toda 1 year ago
"So now cmptrepair who sounds a lot like Toda( aka Tommy Davis) wants to whine when again the people clearly reject Tommy Davis as a serious candidate."
Hey a novel idea, why don't you run in two years. You might be shaving by then....
Bflat 1 year ago
JoeG, I am NOT the one "...... saying that people are not going to come to our beautiful beaches, golf courses, mountains and other wonderful features because we have a amendment that 29 other states have?" FACT: People are posting very negatively on the Visit NC facebook site.
Thatcher 1 year ago
I disagree with alot of Toda's positions, but I have to give him credit for putting himself out there and running for public office. I think he did a good job...tell the voters what you think, and let the voters decide. Respectful showing. Well done!
forourkids 1 year ago
Wow, we seem to be missing the boat on Tillman's ideals. No tenure for teachers, ok, dismissal of teachers as Superintendent deems, with no reason needed nor a hearing required by the school board, hmmmm.....let's see would this then make the who you know, more important than the what you know? Will teachers be dismissed because someone knows someone who needs a job? How will This work? Teacher Corp, any one with a Batchelor's degree in any area can teach....really? Not sure that is the case. What about Merit pay? Ok, pay teachers for "growth" and if they tutor after school, and if they are in hard to staff contents, what about the collaboration we need to help meet each child's needs, merit pay will fuel competittion between teachers. We should not forget to mention that in his bill he wants to hold parents accountable for their child's ability to read and sign a contract as to what they will do at home to help their child, ok.....we tried this.....since he is a former administrator surely he remembers the "contracts" we had for benchmark grade levels of 3 and 5 where parents signed a paper stated if their child did not pass certain requirements, they were retained.....well let's see how did that work.....ummm not so well it no longer exists. Come on Tillman....NC just spent a great deal of money on an evaluation process that you are about to throw out and who will you get to teach our children? We will have a difficult time finding anyone who wants to teach, knowing that they are not in a job that may be there tomorrow.....Get that teaching corp ready, you will need everyone who is graduating with any Batchelor's degree to fill the positions of those "highly qualified" teachers you will lose due to this bill. By the way, Thank you for being appreciative of the job those teachers do everyday, from nurturing, teaching, listening, engaging, and making a difference...It is Teacher Appreciation Week. I would like to submit a bill that allows the voters to vote you out of office Tillman for no reason other than I believe you did not work hard enough to get a bill passed or shake enough hands. Oh and let us place merit pay status on our politicians....hmmm not voting the way we tell you....no pay check.....not balancing a budget, no pay check.....bet Tillman would not like that!
JD 1 year ago
"Tommy Davis has no principles. He runs as a republican, but routinely bashes conservatives and conservative principles, and supports Barack Obama."
Way to take a huge leap without logic. The man had positions that stood on principles. Sorry you don't think protecting ground water or the abuse of animals as a principle.
Also I am a registered republican and my family has been since Lincoln. Neo-cons are a different set who hijacked a political party. As a conservative I think government should stay out of people's personal lives. You show yourself to either be a troll or neo-con. Go derail conversation elsewhere. Yahoo likes posters like you.
Well said forourkids
LeeMcGraw 1 year ago
Any one running for senate who insults me at a Men's Republican meeting, is for fracking even if he has to risk our health and enviornment, and acts like a sterotypical far right wing turnoff, loses me. Combine that with the lack of understanding that good choices for office are those who appeal to more than the far right (or lack of matching marbles rendering people too weak to stand up to them) Whatever...I have not gone back. I will write in Alfred E Newman for that seat in November...won't make any difference, but I will smile on the way out
The marraige admendment was an opportunity for fellow Christians to show love,(regardless of how they voted), but to show love. How did we do? I think you know...not very well. Just like the far left says and does foolish things to embarrass the party, the far right has done it again. I changed to "unaffiliated" this week. Call it a warning shot over the bow of the yacht. I vote issues and best choice anyway. I encourage you to at least look at all the choices in November and to choose...don't just pull the idiot lever.
JoeGarrison 1 year ago
Toda- Tommy lets go to lunch next week, where do you wanna go?
JoeGarrison 1 year ago
Toda- Lets meet and have a nice conversation about the issues. I'm game.
LeeMcGraw 1 year ago
"Ltl Abner and Paw Paw go to town" I think I saw that one.
Toda 1 year ago
Lee there was a time when I had questions about you...after our telephone conversation, I have grown to like you. You sound a lot like me. I like people who can think on their feet, can reason and use cognizant logic. We need to have another chat sometime...
Joe Garrison => I'm free anytime other than next week Monday thru Thursday from 5 until 9. Other than that its your call since you have to work and a drive from Carthage would be a long-lunch hour.
JoeGarrison 1 year ago
I work in Southern Pines now so it won't be as long a drive. 910-690-4511 You pick the place, Call me.
Toda 1 year ago
forourkids => One can see contributions to Tillman's Campaign. I lost out to Tillman on a 3-2 vote by the SEANC and that group's ire with Tillman's vote against retired state employees. They contributed to his campaign fund; teachers' associations supported Tillman's campaign. It seems that many organizations in NC are gluttons for punishment by providing financial support. Education$1,000.00; Citizens for education $1,000.00.
To see who contributed (not complete until NCBOE has final paperwork) check this link:http://votesmart.org/candidate/campaign-finance/41075/jerry-tillman
In about a year, many will have second thoughts about voting Tillman back into office. He has free rein to do what he wants to in the General Assembly and you nor anyone else can challenge his decisions.
JoeGarrison 1 year ago
Tommy lets pretend you had won, what would is your solution or plan to education?
JoeGarrison 1 year ago
sorry for the typo what would your education solution or plan be?
Toda 1 year ago
That question is open-ended. You or anyone else can visit my Facebook page: Tommy Davis for NC State Senate which will delete in about 12 days. NC is ranked 46-th lowest in the nation. We are 6-th highest in gasoline tax. After the debates, Tillman is now going to revisit the 4 cent gas tax issue. I spoke to him personally about it in Randolph County. Now having said all of that to your question:
First ALL University systems are referred to as TALL organizations as opposed to level or flat. In the bain Report there is one supervisor or one department chair who has as little as 3 people report to /s/he. The state GA is has a bill to cut or reduce retirement benefits to those who are hourly wage earners. That's one problem. Compound that by the entire university system in all of NC,,,see where I'm headed. I've written so many times about the number of high paid positions at the central office and Pickney here in Moore County.
Reevaluate all the university systems for excessive salaries and positions: Remember Mary Easley? $160,000.00 and no one really knew what her job was when she was hired?
The bottom line is waste going to high paid salaries for undeserving political allies, That's just a start. We don't need to continue to place the burden on the working class...those earning less than $40,000.00 a year.
Teachers are always under the gun so to speak. They have to meet unrealistic passing rates for latch -key children. Tons of paperwork, and always having to purchase supplies from their own money. Teachers have a stressful job - I wouldn't want to do it as a career. Classes should be smaller and better salaries. There is so much I have to talk about that I could write a 10 page paper on the subject. Have your questions ready for me on the 19th.