By By JONATHAN CLAYBORNE
Staff Writer
Ashley Woolard held a “First-Annual Pig Pickin’” over the weekend to kick off his congressional campaign.
Woolard, a Washington Republican, spoke to members and guests about economic conditions and other issues in Congressional District 1, according to a news release from the campaign.
“We just wanted to kick off the campaign in a good, old-fashioned way, getting back to the politics of the way things used to be,” he said Monday.
The vice president of his family’s insurance business, Woolard is a former chairman of the Beaufort County Republican Party. This is his first time running for elective office.
The novice candidate acknowledged that he faces an uphill battle in his bid to unseat incumbent U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C.
Woolard could be the one to face Butterfield, provided neither man loses to any possible primary challenger.
Butterfield spokesman Ken Willis said that the congressman is seeking re-election.
“He’s very committed to the job he’s doing, and very much seeking re-election,” Willis said.
Asked if Butterfield would be available to respond to some of Woolard’s comments, Willis said, “There will be a long campaign for people to talk about the issues.”
Butterfield couldn’t be reached for comment.
In his interview, Woolard asserted that Democratic candidates in 2010 will face a “tidal wave” of Republicans nationwide.
“We know we got a big job in this district,” Woolard stated. “It’s not historically been a district that’s been kind to Republicans.”
Asked about GOP chances in the majority-Democratic district, Beaufort County Commissioner Jerry Langley, a Democrat, summed up those chances in four words: “Honestly, slim to none.”
“And that’s not anything against (Woolard),” Langley added, “but I just don’t see that happening.”
According to the most recent figures available online from the U.S. Census Bureau, District 1 has a total population of 619,178 people.
Of that population, 324,283 are female, 281,351 are white and 313,958 are black. The median annual household income in 1999 was $28,410, and 28,167 families fell below the federal poverty line.
Asked how he planned to relate to the population in the district, Woolard replied, “I’m just an average, eastern North Carolina guy. I’m a small business guy. I am who I am. I’m just a simple person. I’m not someone that’s come from an elitist situation, I’m just an average guy.”
Langley said Butterfield is doing a good job.
“On all the issues that’s been really important to us, especially in Beaufort County and eastern North Carolina, he’s stepped up to the plate each time,” the commissioner said.
He referred specifically to Butterfield’s support of Potash Corp’s efforts to obtain a mining permit, and opposition to the Navy’s former plans to build an outlying landing field on the border of Beaufort and Washington counties.
Langley lives in Congressional District 3, which is represented by U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones Jr., R-N.C.
Asked if he lives in District 3, Langley said, “Yes. Just like he does,” referring to Woolard.
Woolard lives on Market Street Extension, in the Old Ford precinct, said Greg Dority, an advisor to the candidate.
In federal congressional races there is no requirement that a candidate live in the U.S. House district in which he is running, Dority said.
“There’s a lot going on,” Dority commented. “Ashley Woolard has a chance of winning this race.”
Woolard said it would probably take a minimum of $350,000 to execute a serious run for the seat.
“We’re talking to the people here in eastern North Carolina,” he said. “That’s where we want to get the majority of our money from, is the people.”
Asked if he would accept money from political action committees, he responded, “I’m not going to say I’m not going to accept any money from PACs. But we won’t take it blindly, I’ll tell you that much.”
According to reports available online from the Federal Election Commission, Butterfield had reported receipts of $275,218 through Sept. 30.
Of that total, $207,812 had come from PACs and $66,929 had come from individuals.
Butterfield’s campaign had $231,643 cash on hand.