In our four years of publication we have never endorsed a candidate in a primary election. This year we will make an exception and announce our support for Frank Mitchell in his bid for re-election to the N.C. House of Representatives.

Mitchell is running in a newly-created district that includes parts of Statesville, eastern and northeastern Iredell County, and all of Davie County. Mitchell’s opponent is long-time Rep. Julia Howard of Mocksville.

Mitchell is facing an uphill fight, since about two-thirds of the district’s eligible voters live in Davie County.

We believe Frank Mitchell has done a good job of representing the people of Iredell County. We have occasionally disagreed with his position on an issue, but overall he has an excellent voting record. He has fought against tax and spending increases and is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. He has earned one of the best attendance records of any member of the General Assembly.

Julia Howard, Mitchell’s opponent, is one of only five Republican House members who voted to elect Jim Black and Richard Morgan Co-Speakers, a vote that effectively handed control of the chamber to the Democrats (see article below).

If Howard had cast her lot with Morgan believing that both parties would share control, her vote may have been excused. But at a recent meeting of the Iredell Republican Men’s Club she stated she was proud of her vote for the Morgan/Black ticket and would vote the same way if she if she had it to do over. She has made similar declarations at other events.

Howard advertises a few good things she did in her earlier years as a legislator, such as her support for certain tax breaks. She neglects to mention that the current state budget, supported by Morgan and Black, raised taxes about one thousand-million dollars over a two-year period.

Frank Mitchell has steadfastly supported his party and the other conservatives in the N.C. House. His opponent has not. Mitchell deserves the vote of any citizen who supports conservative or Republican values.