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Rep. Wiley steps out of 2010 race; at least one candidate is in

Rep. Laura Wiley said last week that she would not seek a fourth term in the legislature. That means House District 61, a Republican-leaning area based in High Point, will be an open seat. From my story in Saturday's paper:

“It’s a desire, at this point, to be able to spend more time with my family here in North Carolina and in Tennessee,” Wiley said during a phone interview Friday. “Being a legislator, if you do it well, you must be willing to go at it 100 percent. I refuse to go at it any less than 100 percent, and right now I need the additional time with my family.”

Wiley’s term won’t expire until a new General Assembly is elected next year and takes its place in January of 2011. Wiley said she plans to serve out the rest of her term.

The General Assembly is typically in session for at least 11 months of a member’s two-year term. In between, there are frequent study committee meetings and other events that bring legislators to Raleigh.

Click here to read the whole thing.

Word in GOP circles is there will be lively contest to replace Wiley. The first of those candidates made his intentions known today. John Faircloth, a former police chief who currently serves on the High Point City Council, tossed his hat in the ring via e-mail. From his e-mail:

Rep. Laura Wiley recently announced that she will not be a 2010 candidate for another term as the 61st District member in the North Carolina House of Representatives. The 61st District includes a geographical majority area of the City of High Point, the Town of Jamestown, a small but very important area of Greensboro, and a significant portion of rural southwest Guilford County. Thanks is certainly due Representative Wiley for her tireless service to the citizens of the 61st District, and indeed to all the citizens of North Carolina. .

I am today announcing that I will be a candidate for the 61st House District seat. I will be filing in February, 2010, to participate in the Republican Primary scheduled for May and the General Election scheduled for next November. We are in the process of putting together my campaign team and I have already received very positive encouragement from many citizens of the district, business associates, and from my family.

We are, as everyone knows, going through a period of history that will be the subject of analysis and debate for decades to come. The importance of the selection of a representative for our district who has the experience and background to work closely with the governments of our local municipalities and our county cannot be overstated. There is also obvious benefit in choosing a person who knows well the process of state government; one who has experienced the long and often tedious work involved in moving a good idea through to an effective piece of legislation. Most importantly, in today's economy and period of high unemployment, a sound understanding of business principles, and ethical, effective cooperation between government and business is critical to the Triad.

In the weeks ahead, I will be clearly presenting my qualifications, my perceptions of the problems of today and the prospects for the future. I look forward to individual discussions and to group interaction with as many organizations as possible, including businesses, non-profit service organizations, public and private schools, and the religious centers of our communities. I also look forward to a vigorous campaign and want only the best the future has to offer for High Point and our surrounding communities.

I will continue my service to the citizens of High Point as a member of the City Council through my present term.

For those unfamiliar with High Point, Fairtcloth can indeed serve out his complete city council term. Unlike most neighboring cities, such as Greensboro, High Point holds its city council elections on even-numbered years.