WILMINGTON – From New Hanover County in the southeast to Johnston County just south of the Triangle, mayors are endorsing U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre for re-election. At a press conference on the Wilmington riverfront Monday morning, the Democratic incumbent claimed support from 75 percent of the mayors in the redrawn 7th Congressional District.
New Hanover County mayors Bill Saffo of Wilmington, Ray Rothrock of Carolina Beach and David Cignotti of Wrightsville Beach were among those on the endorsement roster. Cignotti said Monday that “Nobody’s harder working” than McIntyre, particularly with regard to coastal issues like beach nourishment. “Integrity second to none.”
McIntyre at the waterfront podium said he’s also shown success working with local leaders on economic development, improvements to emergency services and “practical projects that make a difference in everyday life” such as with water and sewer.
Of the 53 mayors listed as McIntyre backers as of Monday, the vast majority were fellow Democrats.
Of the remainder, four were Republicans, including Carolina Beach’s Rothrock; three, including Bald Head Island Mayor Andy Sayre and Leland Mayor Brenda Bozeman, were not affiliated with any party. One other mayor listed as a Republican is actually a registered Democrat, according to the N.C. State Board of Elections.
“Their commitment and dedication to our team is a true sign that we always strive to work in partnership to help citizens and communities,” McIntyre said of the mayors in a statement ahead of Monday’s event in Wilmington.
McIntyre, first elected to represent the 7th District in 1996, said Monday’s announcement was part of a series this week that will include at least one endorsement in Johnston County, the home of political opponent David Rouzer.
Rouzer, the state senator from Benson, won the Republican nomination to challenge McIntyre this November following last year’s redrawn district boundaries (link) that now reach over Johnston County. McIntyre’s Robeson County home was actually drawn out of the new district’s lines, though there is no requirement that a congressman be a resident of the district he or she represents.
Rouzer announced his bid for the congressional seat shortly after the draft redistricting map had surfaced. Early endorsements came from Sens. Thom Goolsby of New Hanover County and Bill Rabon of Brunswick County, both Republicans.
In a response Monday, Rouzer campaign spokeswoman Jessica Wood noted her candidate “has the endorsement of all the N.C. senators who represent counties in the 7th District as well as endorsements from Mrs. Dorothy Helms and former senators Elizabeth Dole and Lauch Faircloth.
“The voters in the 7th District will ultimately decide which candidate is better prepared to represent them in Congress, and we believe this November voters will reject Congressman McIntyre and his 16 years of ineffective leadership in Washington and elect David Rouzer to represent them instead.”
On Oct. 1, CBS News called the McIntyre-Rouzer race one of “Eight House races to watch.” (Link)
Contact Ben Brown at [email protected] or (910) 772-6335. On Twitter: @benbrownmedia
