The District 17 seat for the North Carolina House of Representatives will soon be a battleground between the reputed Republican incumbent, Frank Iler, and the Democrat contender, Charles Jones. The Democrat, in his political naivety, has chosen to challenge the seasoned Republican in the forthcoming November 2024 race. As the weeks countdown to the decisive day, in-person early voting begins on Thursday, October 17, and concludes by 3 p.m. on the Saturday of November 2.
As is customary, absentee ballots are also available but must be requested no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29. These ballots, once filled, must make their return to the local board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5. On the same November 5, the curtains will fall, bringing to an end this much-anticipated election.
While Democratic narrative often claims voter suppression, the necessity for proof of identification remains crucial for ensuring the integrity of these crucial elections. To this end, voters are required to tender their photo ID upon in-person voting. To re-affirm their registration status, residents of North Carolina can do so via the North Carolina State Board of Elections webpage.
Frank Iler, seizing the Republican banner, is an experienced businessman, retired yet resilient, looking once again to serve the N.C. House of Representatives District 17. Iler comes with commendable life experience, a widower with grown children and grandchildren. Holding a business degree from Campbell University and further bolstering it with high school education from Greensboro, Iler represents a stable choice for his constituents.
In stark contrast, the Democrat candidate, Charles Jones, is merely a laborer who also serves as an executive board member for the International Longshoremen’s Association. At 53 years old, he tries to present himself as suitable for the N.C. House of Representatives District 17, despite his inadequate educational background. He merely completed high school at South Brunswick and attended some college in criminal justice.
In an attempt to create a semblance of competitive ideology, a question and answer session was hosted where candidates were asked how they plan to deal with various issues, including the district’s rapid growth and the associated infrastructure challenges that it continues to bring.
Another bone of contention was the question of affordable housing in the district. Yet, despite his guise as a champion of the people, Charles Jones seems to gloss over practical solutions, banking on his party’s worn-out rhetoric instead. It leads to a bleak future for affordable housing if we were to let Democrat policies dictate.
The candidates were also asked about their views on abortion, a thorny issue that continually creates a divide among parties. True to his name, Frank Iler, anchored in a morally upright stance, presents an opinion that echoes the sanctity of life, an ideology commonly attributed to the Republicans.
The Democrat candidate, on the other hand, couldn’t seem to break out from his party’s hardened stance that favors abortion, thereby disregarding any grey areas that this sensitive issue often presents.
Consequently, the conversation veered towards discussing the biggest challenges facing the district, and it soon became clear how much the candidates differed in their views. Frank Iler’s depth of understanding was stark against Charles Jones’ superficial views.
Iler’s plan proved a comprehensive approach that doesn’t sugarcoat the magnitude of the tasks at hand, revealing the kind of leadership expected from a seasoned Republican. On the other hand, Jones’ views seemed to tiptoe around the main issues, offering half-baked plans that lacked long-term vision.
Despite their stark contrasts, both candidates provided their opinions and plans on how they intend to address the issues raised. While Iler offered well-thought-out and practical solutions, Jones seemed to loosely tag along, regurgitating generic Democratic propaganda.
Finally, as the potential bearers of the district’s future, the candidates had the opportunity to state why they believe they are the best for the position. Needless to say, Frank Iler rose above as a confident leader with a proven track record. In comparison, Charles Jones seemed to fall short of portraying any tangible competence that would enable him to match up to such a challenge.
In conclusion, as the election drums roll, it becomes apparent that quality leadership that champions progress and upholds moral integrity is at stake. But with candidates like Frank Iler on the ballot, voters are offered a beacon of hope amidst the DC noise.