RALEIGH — She’s not satisfied with his leadership on behalf of the residents of House District 92 in Mecklenburg County. He questions her preparedness for the job of representing a western portion of the county in the General Assembly.
In a repeat of the 2012 matchup, Democrat Robin Bradford is again challenging Republican Charles Jeter, the first-term legislator who narrowly defeated her two years ago, 51.4 percent to 48.6 percent. The race is considered competitive, according to analysis by the North Carolina Free Enterprise Foundation.
“It’s time to send a representative to Raleigh that is going to get the job done,” Bradford said during a recent debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
Jeter points to Bradford’s comments about coal ash in that same debate as illustrative of his concern about her readiness to lead. Jeter mentioned using the ash as fill dirt at the airport as a disposal option. Asheville already uses ash as filler at its airport. The operation was profiled in a March 27 Charlotte Observer story headlined “Charlotte looks to Asheville on coal ash.”
Bradford did not respond to Carolina Journal’s request for an interview, but in debate video posted online, she expressed hesitation with the fill dirt idea:
“My concerns in reference to the airport in using it as part of the tarmac is all that tonnage from the airplanes coming down, what is the EPA saying about that as far as air quality. So we need to look in that further. And we need to look at other areas in the United States that has coal ash, and how they have gotten rid of it in a safe, environmental way,” Bradford said.
Jeter said it’s already been deemed safe.
“I wonder how much time she would have to go back and find things out that we’ve already done, that’s already been figured out and [are] behind us,” he said.
Jeter has been endorsed by the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters’ Conservation PAC, and the North Carolina chapter of the Sierra Club, Central Piedmont Group.
Bradford lives in Huntersville with her husband and two children. She is the former chairwoman of the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party. In 2009 she ran for a seat on the Mecklenburg County school board. Her website says her platform was “Children First.” Her motto was “The key to moving forward is to be educated, and using that education to make positive changes in your life and community.”
In her closing statement at the League of Women Voters debate, Bradford said she respects Jeter as a candidate.
“But at the end of the day, let’s work together in making sure that North Carolina gets the work done. Let’s stand for educators, teachers, economic development, health care, women’s issues, environmental issues, and, of course, no tolls on Highway 77.”
Bradford made news earlier this year after she failed to pay fines imposed by the Board of Elections for failing to file campaign finance reports for the 2012 race. The case was referred to the Attorney General. According to the Charlotte Observer, Bradford said she subsequently paid the fines. She was criticized by some fellow Democrats, and by Jeter.
Prior to being elected to serve House District 92, Jeter served seven years as a Huntersville Town Commissioner. A decade ago he founded and is president of Intermodal FCL, Inc., a trucking and logistics firm. He and wife Jennifer live in Huntersville with their three children. He is the chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, and vice chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, an issue he is passionate about.
Jeter said the state was once ahead of the curve with its road system, but that’s no longer the case. Since moving goods efficiently is key to economic activity, addressing transportation issues is high on his priorities list.
“I can promise you this. Businesses, particularly manufacturing and distribution hubs, aren’t coming somewhere where their trucks get stuck in traffic,” he said. “I don’t think people understand or grasp the severity of that aspect of business recruitment.”
District 92 is split nearly evenly in its political affiliation – 35.3 percent are registered Democrats, and 32.3 percent are Republicans. Unaffiliated voters comprise 32.1 percent of the electorate.
The latest cash-on-hand data available online from the Board of Elections shows Jeter with $36,675 and Bradford $260.
Donna Martinez is a contributor to Carolina Journal.