By By JONATHAN CLAYBORNE
Staff Writer
A Beaufort County commissioner confirmed that he plans to run against state Sen. Marc Basnight, D-Dare.
“This guy is beatable,” Washington Republican Hood Richardson told the Washington Daily News.
“He’s never had anybody run against him for real,” Richardson added.
Richardson said he’ll make a formal announcement about his candidacy Wednesday at state Republican Party headquarters in Raleigh.
A campaign source said Richardson will be accompanied by state Sen. Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, and Tom Fetzer, chairman of the state GOP.
The story broke on the Daily News’ Web site Monday.
Basnight, a 13-term senator, represents Senate District 1.
The district covers all or part of eight northeastern counties, including Hyde and Beaufort counties.
Basnight is president pro tempore of the Senate, and has frequently been described as the most powerful man in the Old North State’s government.
Asked why he wants to take on the incumbent, Richardson answered, “Because the form of government in Raleigh over the years has been corrupt, and we need to change it. Also, the leadership up there, for solving problems they only understand one thing: raise taxes.”
“I welcome opponents,” Basnight says in a written response to the Daily News. “Opponents are necessary and important so that the people can make a choice.”
In addition to name recognition and seniority in the Senate, Basnight has traditionally enjoyed a massive fundraising advantage over any potential opponent.
The Manteo Democrat listed more than $1.7 million in campaign expenditures in 2008, outstripping all other Legislature candidates, The Program on Public Life at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reported last year.
“I think his money is somewhat of an albatross,” Richardson said. “I think the answer is if you deliver the money, he will deliver the goods.”
He added, “I’m going to hang his money around his neck — it’s an albatross — by showing that if you want to be heard in state government you have to pay.”
Richardson attempted to take on Basnight in 2006, but he lost out to primary opponent Ron Toppin, a frequent Basnight challenger who was unable to leave a serious dent in the senator.
Richardson said he wanted to run against Basnight in 2008, but would have had to give up his seat as a commissioner in order launch a bid for Senate.
Richardson isn’t up for re-election this year, so he’s free to enter another race.
“I think people in both parties are disgusted with government, and I think they are looking for a change and they’re looking for somebody that doesn’t have a reputation for raising taxes and collecting money and using their power for personal gain,” he said. “And I’m that guy.”
The Daily News asked Jerry Langley, chairman of the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners and a Democrat, for his thoughts on Richardson’s chances of winning.
“I don’t think they’re very good, but then again he may pull the upset of the year,” Langley said. “I don’t know. I think Basnight is deeply entrenched, and I don’t think he has alienated all of his voters so I don’t see him defeating him.”
Langley added, “Commissioners are never unopposed in our elections, and I think opposition is good and healthy for everybody. Any time you have opposition it makes you look at what you’re doing.”
A couple of Richardson’s allies offered comment on his behalf Monday.
“With redistricting on the horizon, it is important that Beaufort County have another member in the General Assembly,” said Greg Dority, a Washington resident and a Republican.
Dority, who has expressed an interest in running against U.S. Rep. David Price, D-N.C., said Beaufort County was nearly carved into multiple legislative districts the last time district lines were redrawn nearly a decade ago.
“Hood Richardson offers opportunities for Republicans and Democrats in Beaufort County to have full representation when the maps are redrawn,” Dority said.
Another comment was added by Ashley Woolard, another Washington Republican who has set his sights on the seat held by U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., of Wilson.
“It’s in my interest, the state’s interest, the nation’s interest to have conservative candidates running, from school board to U.S. Senate, those that believe in the Constitution, what it stands for, and are willing to fight tooth and nail to make sure those principles are upheld,” Woolard said.
Spotted outside City Hall Monday afternoon, city Councilman Ed Moultrie offered his perspective.
“In an election season strange things happen, and that’s about being a citizen of the United States,” Moultrie said. “Anyone can run. It’s up to the people who gets elected.”
Asked for his assessment of Richardson’s chances, Moultrie responded, “I guess he’ll stay a local man.”