College student wants N.C. House seat

As candidates for the N.C. House of Representatives go, Aaron Bradley Scott doesn't bring a lot of baggage. At 20, he is prepared to jettison plans for graduate school to serve the people of the 85th District, which includes McDowell and parts of Burke County.
"I am a junior at Lenoir-Rhyne, majoring in political science," the novice Democrat said. "I have discussed my candidacy with my faculty advisor, and we're pretty excited about my candidacy." He said his class load next year will be light enough that it will not conflict with his duties, if he wins the office currently held by Rep. Mitch Gillespie.
Technically, his youth should not be an issue. He said he will be 21 this summer, and legally eligible for the office before Election Day in November.
Having gone to high school in Lincoln County, Scott now lives in Connelly Springs. He had originally filed in the 86th District, to challenge Rep. Hugh Blackwell, but his committee recently discovered he lived just inside the 85th.
Not that he is a stranger to McDowell.
"I have visited Marion and other communities there," he said by telephone on Friday. "It is a beautiful community, and I look forward to seeing more of it and meeting people there."
Preserving the inherent beauty of the reunion is a priority to Scott. He said the nature of the area as both an agricultural and tourism hub lends itself to the promotion of renewable "green" energy -- a cause he is passionate about.
"We have an obligation as Christians to save this beautiful area we call home," he said in a press release. "I have every intention on adding new policy that will help our state reduce our carbon footprint, and seek new development in technology and research."
In education, he said technology in the classroom is vital to the success of today's students in tomorrow's job market. Equally as important is attracting quality teachers.
"According to the North Carolina General Assembly's current budget, a new teacher would earn $30,430. I am interested in raising new teacher salaries to $35,000," he stated.
He said he strongly favors "not allowing illegal immigrants into the schools. I feel that using taxpayer money to support illegal immigrants is wrong."
Scott said he respects the religious institution of marriage "between a man and a woman," but that the law, being a secular institution, should acknowledge changing attitudes.
"Many current church denominations are allowing gay couples to become members, and even practicing clergy," he said. "This is a sign that times are changing in America, and I feel the state of North Carolina should, too."
But no issue currently facing the state's legislators is more pressing than the economy and the grim reality of unemployment far worse than the national average. Although a young man, he has worked full time in management for a Kentucky Fried Chicken chain. He was recently "downsized" so has experienced firsthand what that means.
He said reducing the tax burden on business is a vital step to getting the economy on track and getting people working again.
"Doing so will help our businesses in the state of North Carolina compete, and help bring new industries to our state," said Scott. "In my mind, if there is a person who is willing to work and put in their time, they should be given an opportunity."
Although he has not scheduled a campaign appearance in McDowell yet, he said he is excited about doing so before the Democratic primary on May 4, when he hopes to win the party's nomination also being sought by Marion resident Beth Ostgaard.
"I would love to debate Ms. Ostgaard in a public setting," he stated.
Twenty years from now, Scott said, he'd like to either be teaching political science at the college level or else serving in the North Carolina Senate.