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Aragona announces bid for N.C. House
February 8, 2008 - 2:54PM
THE DAILY NEWS
Martin Aragona Jr. has announced he will file to run for the District 14 seat of the N.C. House. Rep. George Cleveland, R-Onslow, currently holds that seat.
Aragona, a member of the Onslow County Board of Commissioners, said he believes he can do a good job serving at the state level.
"I believe I do a good job representing the citizens of Onslow County," he said. "And I think I will do a good job in the House."
Aragona said that he will not be resigning from his position with the Onslow County Commissioners.
"I have perfect attendance for meetings and workshops, and I don¡¦t plan on missing a meeting," he said. "I plan to continue my perfect attendance streak for the next nine months of my position."
Cleveland was caught off guard by Aragona's decision to run and only heard about it when a Daily News reporter called him for comment.
"Several months ago (Aragona) assured me that I didn't have to worry about him running against me," he said. "I guess things have changed"
Aragona said he remembered talking to Cleveland before the 2006 elections and did not plan at the time to run for a seat in the state House.
"People have been asking me to run for several years now," he said. "Before I did not have the intention to run; however, I think now is the time."
Aragona said he has known Cleveland for several years and considers him a friend.
"I plan to make my case, with a positive campaign, on why I would be good for the position," he said. "I am sure George will have a positive campaign, as well."
Cleveland has a record of being very conservative in his choices.
Aragona is stressing his own "conservative Onslow County roots" in the campaign.
Aragona said that he has four specific conservative goals in mind to bring to the House:
• Stopping the transfer of funds from the state Highway Trust Fund
• Televising sessions of the state legislature
• Supporting family values
• Giving drivers licenses and in-state tuition to legal citizens only
Aragona said he made the announcement early to encourage Republicans to file for his county commissioner seat.
Filing to run for elected office begins Monday.
Aragona, a member of the Onslow County Board of Commissioners, said he believes he can do a good job serving at the state level.
"I believe I do a good job representing the citizens of Onslow County," he said. "And I think I will do a good job in the House."
Aragona said that he will not be resigning from his position with the Onslow County Commissioners.
"I have perfect attendance for meetings and workshops, and I don¡¦t plan on missing a meeting," he said. "I plan to continue my perfect attendance streak for the next nine months of my position."
Cleveland was caught off guard by Aragona's decision to run and only heard about it when a Daily News reporter called him for comment.
"Several months ago (Aragona) assured me that I didn't have to worry about him running against me," he said. "I guess things have changed"
Aragona said he remembered talking to Cleveland before the 2006 elections and did not plan at the time to run for a seat in the state House.
"People have been asking me to run for several years now," he said. "Before I did not have the intention to run; however, I think now is the time."
Aragona said he has known Cleveland for several years and considers him a friend.
"I plan to make my case, with a positive campaign, on why I would be good for the position," he said. "I am sure George will have a positive campaign, as well."
Cleveland has a record of being very conservative in his choices.
Aragona is stressing his own "conservative Onslow County roots" in the campaign.
Aragona said that he has four specific conservative goals in mind to bring to the House:
• Stopping the transfer of funds from the state Highway Trust Fund
• Televising sessions of the state legislature
• Supporting family values
• Giving drivers licenses and in-state tuition to legal citizens only
Aragona said he made the announcement early to encourage Republicans to file for his county commissioner seat.
Filing to run for elected office begins Monday.
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Reader's comments
| Yep, another lawyer and business man trying to run the country. Maybe he can pull it off in a state such as North Carolina. He didn't do well in Jacksonville and won't do well on the state level but one can argue this point because your average citizen in North Carolina is not too intelligent on many issues that pertain to the state. For example, how does NAFTA effect North Carolina? |
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| Don - Feb 08, 2008 06:25:43 PM | Remove Comment |
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| He has my vote! |
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| Amber - Feb 08, 2008 06:20:05 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Is Cleveland retiring or is Aragona, Jr. going to challenge him? |
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| inquiring minds - Feb 08, 2008 04:01:26 PM | Remove Comment |
