In past years, Haywood County residents had two senate districts within its boundaries. After the resdistricting that occurs each 10 years following the U.S. Census, the boundaries were changed so now all county residents are within the 50th senate district.

The district includes t

In past years, Haywood County residents had two senate districts within its boundaries. After the resdistricting that occurs each 10 years following the U.S. Census, the boundaries were changed so now all county residents are within the 50th senate district.

The district includes the comprised all of Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Swain and Haywood counties and the southern third of Haywood County.

This isn’t the first time candidates John Snow, a three-term senator in S.D. 50, and Jim Davis, the district’s current senator, have squared off. Two years ago, Davis was part of the Republican sweep that ousted the long-time Democratic General Assembly and elected a majority of Republicans for the first time in 150 years.

The differences between the two candidates are as stark in this election as they were two years ago.

Davis talks about the need to continue shrinking government and reconfiguring education to give more control to local school boards. During a recent gathering at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center, Davis spoke of GOP efforts to get state spending under control, something that hadn’t happened previously and that can’t happen without pain, he said.

Snow countered the failed GOP legislative agenda happened at the expense of education, from pre-school through college, and at the expense of the mental health system, which is in dire straits.

Both place a high priority on jobs, but differ on how to achieve success.

Which course is best is a decision voters across the district will be making as of Oct. 18, when one-stop absentee voting begins. The race will end on Election Day, Nov. 6, when voters go to the polls across the nation.

he comprised all of Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Swain and Haywood counties and the southern third of Haywood County.

This isn’t the first time candidates John Snow, a three-term senator in S.D. 50, and Jim Davis, the district’s current senator, have squared off. Two years ago, Davis was part of the Republican sweep that ousted the long-time Democratic General Assembly and elected a majority of Republicans for the first time in 150 years.

The differences between the two candidates are as stark in this election as they were two years ago.

Davis talks about the need to continue shrinking government and reconfiguring education to give more control to local school boards. During a recent gathering at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center, Davis spoke of GOP efforts to get state spending under control, something that hadn’t happened previously and that can’t happen without pain, he said.

Snow countered the failed GOP legislative agenda happened at the expense of education, from pre-school through college, and at the expense of the mental health system, which is in dire straits.

Both place a high priority on jobs, but differ on how to achieve success.

Which course is best is a decision voters across the district will be making as of Oct. 18, when one-stop absentee voting begins. The race will end on Election Day, Nov. 6, when voters go to the polls across the nation.

Jim Davis

Background: Age: 65,  orthodontist; BA Biology, DDS, MS Orthodontics; two years in state senate; 10 years as a Macon County commissioner.

“Since I took office in January 2011, I have consistently demonstrated the courage required to get our state’s fiscal house in order. North Carolina had a $2.5 billion budget deficit which the previous legislature wanted to address by raising taxes.  I disagreed and voted to cut expenditures of a bloated bureaucracy and start the process of downsizing our state’s government, just as I promised during my campaign.  There is still much work to do.  I have proven that I have what it takes to get the job done.”

Top three concerns:

Jobs – I voted for a balanced budget and pro-growth policies that create commerce opportunities.  I supported increasing the business tax revenue exemption to $50,000 and easing red tape on local government, the health care industry, and other business owners.  These measures coupled with responsible spending encourage investment in North Carolina.  Investment in North Carolina brings jobs.

Economy – Our economic development has been diminished by excessive taxes and regulations.  Oppressive rules and regulations add expenses for businesses and leave fewer resources for new hiring and other expansion.  I voted to eliminate redundant commissions and committees and will continue to fight against unnecessary and burdensome mandates, taxes, and regulations.

Education – We cannot transform public schools into centers of excellence by throwing more money at a broken system  I will continue to work for education reforms in literacy gains, student accountability; school accountability; teacher quality; school choice, and to get your tax dollars into classrooms and out of wasteful bureaucracies.

John J. Snow, Jr.

Background: Age 66; retired district court judge;  Cherokee County Public Schools;  Wake Forest College and   Wake Forest Law School; 31 years in WNC court system;  27 years district court judge, four years assistant district attorney.  Served three terms as senator.  Legislative emphasis on issues involving children, families, the economy and public safety; served on seven senate committees, co-chair crime control/ public safety.

“Public service is the heart of my Christian life.    I would be honored to again serve the people of Senate District 50.  I’m the best person for the job because of my experience. I’ve been married 42 years, have four children, four grandchildren and there are three teachers in the family. I am hard working, will put people before politics and provide strong constituent service.”

Top three concerns:

Jobs -— Our top priority should be creating jobs in WNC. To compete for jobs we need an educated workforce, so our support for public schools, community colleges and universities is essential.  Since taking office the legislature has not taken up any legislation focused on jobs; I’d like to change that.

Education — Education is the key to WNC’s future and the key to economic success for our mountain counties and this state. This year’s budget cuts to education, including cuts for student aid, have been harmful.  These cuts have limited access to our education system and stifled our economic recovery.

Leadership — Real leadership in WNC is that of legislating in a bipartisan fashion to avoid the gridlock of political extremes. I want to go to Raleigh, not to champion a particular political party or ideology, but to best represent the needs of the people of Senate District 50 and of NC.