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Occupation
Real estate investor; owner of Robert Pittenger Company

Birthdate
August 15, 1948

Address
7730 Baltusrol Lane, Charlotte, NC 28210

Website
www.robertpittenger.com

Party affiliation
Republican

Previous experience
Three term state senator, elected in 2002

Other relevant experience
Served as President of Charlotte Foreign Policy Forum; served as President of Foundation for
NC Future; served as State Chairman of Americans for Tax Reform

Family
Robert and his wife Suzanne have four children: Bobby, Natalie, Amyliz, Grace

Why running for office?
I'm running for Lieutenant Governor for one simple reason: state government is heading in the wrong direction and needs someone with principles to shake things up. As a state senator I've seen the incredible waste of our tax dollars. State government has become too big - it spends too much - and takes too much from North Carolinians for the services they get. It's time for a change. The Lieutenant Governor in North Carolina "holds the gavel," presiding over the State Senate. Currently, the Democrat leadership in the Senate stifles public debate on important issues and doesn't even call on legislators to speak on important issues like the state budget. We need an open and transparent legislative process with a full and open debate on all issues allowing all members to be recognized with their amendments and bills.

What distinguishes you from your opponent?
My opponent has been part of the Democrat Senate leadership for a long time, co-chairing the Senate Appropriations Committee since 2002. During his tenure, state spending has risen nearly a billion dollars a year. I have been a leader in trying to reduce the spending and waste in government that causes North Carolina taxpayers to have to pay the highest tax burden in the Southeast. I led the effort to find waste in government caused by redundancies in state programs. My opponent touts his effectiveness in working with the lobbyists and politicians in Raleigh. I have stood up and said NO on issues I thought were not favorable for taxpayers.

Key qualifications you would bring to the job
I am a small businessman who understands the need for improved infrastructure in our state, lower taxes, and better jobs for our citizens. I have a strong track record of working for things I believe are important. I have brought people together in my career for causes bigger than any of us individually and expect to work that way as Lieutenant Governor to do the same for the State of North Carolina.

List your top 3 campaign issues and your stances on those issues
Reform state government. I'll continue to work to uncover waste and fraud in North Carolina's bloated state budget, and consolidate programs and find efficiencies. I believe tax money belongs to taxpayers - not the tax collectors. When more tax money stays in our citizens' hands, it will boost our economy. 2. Quality in education. With around a third of high school students dropping out before finishing school, we need a better quality education. We need to work to find the best teachers and pay them accordingly. But we also need to move forward with new technology using computers and other teaching methods to reach young people in the ways they are used to communicating. 3. Illegal aliens. Illegal immigrants place great demands on our state. The Democrat political leadership has turned a blind eye to the illegal immigration crisis and made North Carolina a haven for illegal aliens - putting out the welcome mat and allowing them to get drivers licenses here - overwhelming our social services, hospitals, schools and law enforcement -- and taking away thousands of jobs from North Carolina citizens while displacing our students in public educational institutions. We must also work to remove all incentives for illegals to want to come here.
Should Governor and Lt. Governor run as one ticket?
No, each office plays an important constitutional role in our state and the people deserve to vote for each office individually.

How can the profile of this office be enhanced?
It would help if newspapers and other members of the media did in-depth stories on the constitutional roles of all the Council of State offices we vote for. It would help a great deal in people's understanding of our political system. I intend to use the office of Lieutenant Governor as a way to speak to important issues facing the taxpayers of North Carolina and hopefully that raises the profile of the office as well.