Arnold Promises Less Drama Than Rucho In Senate District 39 | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: The author of this post is Joe Johnson, who is a contributor to the Carolina Journal, John Hood Publisher.

Winner of Tuesday primary should take seat in 2015 General Assembly

    RALEIGH     Matt Arnold admits there is very little difference between his political views and those held by incumbent Sen. Robert Rucho. But that did not stop him from challenging the seven-term veteran lawmaker in the upcoming Republican primary for state Senate District 39 on May 6.

    "Ideologically, I don't think I'm that different from him," said Arnold, of Charlotte, who was once captain of the Belmont Abbey basketball team, and now is an attorney.

    No Democrats filed to run in this district, so the Republican primary winner will face no opposition in the Nov. 4 general election, barring a write-in or unaffiliated candidate, and would be the presumptive office holder for the next term.

    Arnold, who is seeking elected office for the first time, said Rucho's questionable leadership spurred him to run.

    "I think he has lost his way with his conservative underpinnings." Arnold said. "We are a very conservative district, one that I grew up in, and he's been in the Senate for over a decade and should be providing better leadership."

    Rucho also caused controversy in December, when a post on his Twitter account compared Obamacare to the abuses of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. The post drew a rebuke from state GOP chairman Claude Pope, but Rucho did not apologize.

    The North Carolina Free Enterprise Foundation lists this Senate seat as a strong Republican district, with 41.4 percent of its voters registered Republican, and 27 percent Democrats.

    But in an interesting twist, in the 2012 election, district voters gave Republican Pat McCrory 60.4 percent of the gubernatorial vote, but only gave GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney 47.4 percent of the vote.

    Rucho had $172,435 campaign cash on hand at the end of 2013 to help him convince voters he should be re-elected. Arnold's campaign cash total was not available.

    Arnold's biggest criticism of Rucho was his attempt to replace the local board overseeing the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport with one filled with appointees from a wider area beyond Mecklenburg County. Arnold called the move a power grab.

    Rucho deflected Arnold's criticisms, calling them personal attacks from a trial lawyer. He pointed to his experience and effectiveness in delivering on campaign promises as his best attributes. He said bringing tax reform and a better jobs climate have improved the state's standing.

    "Tax reform was a key component, and it stimulated economic growth and job creation,' Rucho said. "I made promises on those issues and we delivered on them."

    Rucho said the past three years the General Assembly has been under Republican leadership have been productive. He wants to continue improving transportation and education.

    "Roads like the southern ring of I-485 are important to our area," said Rucho, of Matthews. "Southern Charlotte is growing fast and we have to meet the transportation needs."

    Rucho also supports improved education requirements to improve student reading scores.

    "Education is critical," Rucho said.

    "I'm not the point man on that issue in the General Assembly, but I believe that every graduate must be able to read proficiently," he said. "If you can't read, you can't learn. We've got to attract the best qualified and skilled teachers to make that happen."

    Arnold's positions on those issues generally mirror those of Rucho. He supports Gov. Pat McCrory's education agenda and would like to see increased education choices for families by allowing more charter schools to open.

    Arnold said running for office has been an eye-opening experience. He said those close to him asked him if he knew what he was in for when he jumped into the race.

    "A lot of people wondered if I knew what I was doing," Arnold said. "It's been an exciting experience, and I feel like I am doing it for the right reasons."