Articles
Stam Kicks Off Campaign for House in Holly Springs
By: Kelly Griffith
January 29, 2008
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| Stam stands with Phillip and Maxwell Donaldson (both 5 ½ years old). The twins dressed up in elephant costumes under t-shirts saying “Stam for NC House.” |
As the sun set Jan. 26, Paul “Skip” Stam
greeted local Republicans at a barbeque to gather support
for his campaign to be reelected to the North Carolina
state House of Representatives for district 37.
Nearly 130 crowded into the Bass Lake Retreat Center
in Holly Springs at 5 p.m. Saturday evening to recognize
Stam’s achievements in office and to talk about how
to get him reelected in November.
Former mayor of Holly Springs for 17 years Gerald
Holleman came to show his support and even changed his
political party affiliation.
“I just decided I wanted to go in a different
direction,” Holleman said.
Holleman said he registered as a Republican because
he believes Stam is great for the state of North Carolina.
He said so many Democrats talk about wanting change, but
Holleman is tired of promises not kept.
Holleman said he has been a huge fan of Stam’s
for several years. He said Stam practiced law with
Holleman’s uncle.
Stam later recognized Holleman in front of everyone
for his party change.
“We’ll have a cleaner and more
conservative government that don’t throw our money
away,” Holleman said.
After greeting several voters at the door, Stam said
a short blessing over the food and invited everyone to grab
a plate of barbeque, slaw, potatoes and rolls.
BB the clown blew up colorful “Stam NC
House” balloons and tied them around the wrists of
children while a jazz band played.
Stam said his nephew was the bass player of the
group.
After most had taken time to eat dinner, Stam
introduced several high-status Republicans around the room
including former Chief Justice Beverly Lake, Jr. who gave a
speech about Stam’s campaign.
“I want him to stay in office as long as he
wants to and perhaps run for governor,” Lake
said.
Stam also had two political awareness quizzes for
attendees to complete. Stam split the room in four and
groups raced to see who could get the most answers correct
in the shortest time.
The prize n a Southern Supreme fruitcake, which Stam
said was “actually good.”
Executive Board member for the Western Wake
Republican Club Vinnie DeBenedetto said the organization
out of Cary tries to help local GOP candidates gain support
by getting their names out to the public. The grassroots
operation started in 2001 and now involves Cary, Holly
Springs, Apex, Morrisville, Garner and
Fuquay-Varina.
“Skip has helped Holly Springs a lot and his
is just a great legislator,” DeBenedetto said.
Representing the Republican Women of Cary, President
Karen Wright-Fairley came to show support for Stam and
encourage women to join the organization.
Wright-Fairley said the club of women inducted her
as president in December and she became the first black
woman to take the position. She said she likes Stam because
he tries to educate people in the area about political
issues.
Recently retired public school teacher Marion
O’Quinn said she believes Stam is a competent
candidate for the work North Carolina needs done.
“He really takes in all perspectives and can
deal with people with different opinions,”
O’Quinn said. “Otherwise, you just have
gridlock.”
Faye Johnson said that state government gets a lot
completed because he knows how to give and take with the
other side of the aisle.
“He can deal with Democrats,” she said.
“They respect him.”
Stam said he would need $100,000 for his campaign.
He said he has no paid staff for the campaign and all of
his support will be through financial gifts and
volunteers.
“We need lots of money; send it all in,”
Stam said. “We have a real opponent.”
Stam took office in 1989 for one year and again in
2003. He has been the Representative for district 37 since
then.
Stam’s mother, Jane Stam Miner, said she is proud of
her son’s efforts for North Carolina.
“I think it’s great,” she said. “I
think you have to be brave to run.”
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