The Daily Record
Democratic House Candidates Debate Issues
By TOM WOERNER
Of The Record Staff
Five Democrats with a shared goal of taking a seat in Congress met to debate issues and introduce themselves to voters.
Five candidates for the District 2 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives — Ron Sanyal, Jane Watson, John McNeill, Elton Brewington and Steve Hight — met at the Harnett County Democratic headquarters Thursday night.
The candidates are competing against each other in the Tuesday, June 7 primary race to challenge the winner of the Republican primary in the November General Election. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers is fighting off two challengers for her position in the Republican Primary, also to be held June 7.
Rep. Ellmers, who has served since 2010, is being challenged for the seat by current District 13 Rep. George Holding and Cary pediatrician Dr. Greg Brannon.
The candidates expressed a common theme as they debated various issues including education, the environment, immigration and what they say is a Republican failure to deal with the economy.
“I am sick of North Carolinians suffering under Rep. Ellmers and Rep. Holding,” Mr. Mc-Neill said. “We need a representative who will give us a full day’s work and we don’t have that now. I want to work hard to make North Carolina what it used to be.”
Mr. McNeill is a retired Marine and now owns and operates a law firm and mediation business in Raleigh.
Jane Watson, the only female candidate on the Democratic slate, said she is the most experi- See Democrats, Page 3A Democrats
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enced candidate. She formerly worked for current Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and also for the Bill Clinton administration. In recent years she has worked as a lawyer and real estate agent.
“I know the systematic problems we face in Washington,” Ms. Watson said. “I feel like the Democratic Party needs to take over in Washington again.”
Ron Sonyal is an Indian immigrant and now a retired pharmacist. He said he is basing his campaign on equality for all.
“It is my belief that sun rises equally on all people in the world,” Mr. Sanyal said. “America has given me and my family so much and now I want to give back to the community and bring some sanity to politics again.”
He said increasing the minimum wage is one of his key issues.
“It is about time for the underprivileged in North Carolina to be treated fairly,” Mr. Sanyal.
Elton Brewington is originally from Johnston County and has worked in various industries including publishing and communications. He said new blood is needed.
“North Carolina and the Second District can do better than what we have now,” Mr. Brewington said. “We have some issues but we can deal with them if we work together. If the people of the Second District tell me what their problems are, I will tell.”
Steve Hight is also a lawyer. He said the Second District, drawn by the Republican legislature, still offers possibility for Democrats.
“I do not believe it is impossible for a Democrat to get elected in the Second District,” Mr. Hight said. “I am the one candidate who can put a good game plan together and win this race.”
Mr. Hight, an attorney from Louisburg, said he wants to address immigration issues.
“My position is we shouldn’t reward people for breaking the law and entering the country illegally,” Mr. Hight said. “We need a path to work through that.”
A group of approximately 25 local Democrats gathered for the event to ask questions and to listen to the candidates. The event was organized by the Harnett County Democratic Party.
The Democratic candidates for the District 2 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives met in Lillington Wednesday night. From left are Ron Sanyal, Jane Watson, John McNeill, Elton Brewington and Steve Hight.
Daily Record Photo/Tom Woerner
