Frank Iler, an Oak Island Republican, is seeking re-election to the North Carolina House of Representatives because “after 140 years of one-party rule, we made a lot of strides.”
“There’s a lot more to be done,” Iler said.
Lundia Washington, a Democrat from the Bolivia area, said she plans to give Iler a run for his money at the District 17 House seat, which encompasses most of the central, southern and western portions of Brunswick County, including the entire coastline.
Iler, a retired business executive, was appointed to serve the remainder of then-Rep. Bonner Stiller’s House seat in 2009. In 2010, Iler was elected to the House.
Washington, a relative newcomer to the political scene in southeastern North Carolina is a retired educator who “successfully raised eight accomplished children,” with 25 years of public service under her belt.
“I am a well-traveled individual and I have first-hand experience. I understand the importance of education, women’s empowerment and senior issues,” Washington said.
Both Iler and Washington were on stage during Wednesday night’s candidates’ forum sponsored by the Alliance of Brunswick County Property Owners Associations (ABCPOA).
Moderator Jon Evans, news anchor of WECT/WSFX, asked the candidates about the recent 30-percent increases to homeowners’ insurance policies requested by the N.C. Rate Bureau for coastal counties such as Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender.
Iler said he was instrumental in legislation that increased transparency in the rate-making system. For the first time, a public hearing was held in Raleigh where people could voice concerns about the increases.
After the public hearing and public comment period, which ended Friday, N.C. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin could approve an increase up to the requested 30 percent increase, which Iler said was unlikely to be approved.
Iler said the N.C. Department of Insurance and the Rate Bureau—made up of insurance industry representatives who request the rate increases—need a more equitable formula in determining increases, including “using claims history not just projected hurricanes.”
“First of all, I don’t think it’s right or equitable, and I’m the type of person that if there’s something that needs to be done, I get it done. I would entertain or ask for public support or grass roots support to make our wishes known,” Washington said about the proposed rate hikes.
The candidates also discussed voter identification measures in North Carolina. In 2011, Iler and the Republican-led General Assembly passed a voter ID law, which was vetoed by N.C. Gov. Bev Perdue. The GOP House and Senate members did not have the votes to override the governor’s veto.
“Well, that’s a very controversial issue,” said Washington. “My stand is that voter ID, because it was sprung at the very last minute, created some resistance. I think it’s a good thing if it’s done orderly, if it’s done properly and it doesn’t disenfranchise people.”
On coastal issues, the candidates addressed drying up of federal funding for inlet dredging and beach renourishment—two things Iler said are critical for the coast.
Iler said he’d like to see recurring state funds for shallow-inlet dredging, “as well as putting that sand back on the beach.”
Washington said she’d like to seek investments from “private investors and the private sector” to fund inlet dredging and beach renourishment.
Reach Caroline Curran at (910) 772-6336 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @cgcurran.
