Attentive crowd attends HPU candidate forum

Jan. 31—HIGH POINT — Local conservative voters had the chance to hear from candidates running for statewide office, Congress and a local legislative race during a primary election forum at High Point University Tuesday night.

The candidate forum organized by the HPU College Republicans was held in Congdon Hall and drew more than 100 people. The candidates were Republicans running in the primary for the right to advance as their party's nominee in the general election.

Candidates answered questions on topics ranging from taxes and spending to planning for needs for transportation and education before an attentive audience.

The forum served as a platform for one 6th Congressional District candidate to raise the issue of what GOP candidates are attending forums and which ones aren't.

Former High Point mayor Jay Wagner is questioning why Addison McDowell, who has been endorsed in the race by former President Donald Trump, and Bo Hines skipped the HPU forum and two previous 6th District candidate forums held in January. Wagner, who attended all three forums, said that McDowell and Hines are disrespecting voters.

"Are they scared of the voters they claim they want to represent," Wagner said in a statement before the HPU candidate forum. "It's time for voters to receive the respect they deserve. Candidates should be willing to make themselves available to voters and not just do photo opportunities."

The McDowell campaign issued a statement to The High Point Enterprise saying that McDowell has consistently met with voters. McDowell was at an event organized by the N.C. Young Republicans during the most recent forum and was with campaign volunteers at a door-knocking event at the previous forum, according to the campaign.

The Hines campaign couldn't be reached for comment as of Tuesday by The Enterprise. Joining Wagner at the HPU forum were Dr. Mary Ann Contogiannis and Christian Castelli.

Six GOP candidates are seeking the 6th District nomination. The 6th District GOP winner in the March 5 primary is all but assured of taking the seat in the fall general election since no Democrat filed. Two-term Rep. Kathy Manning, D-6th, didn't file for reelection last month citing what she calls gerrymandering by GOP state legislators to make it impossible for a Democrat to win the seat.

The redrawn district includes High Point and all of Davidson County as well as eastern Forsyth County, all of Rowan and Davie counties and the western tip of Cabarrus County.

The HPU forum included candidates in the Republican primaries for governor, though state Treasurer Dale Folwell was the only one who attended, lieutenant governor and the 62nd State House District in Guilford County that includes north High Point.

All five Republican challengers for the 62nd State House District attended the forum and appeared on stage together. The candidates are 20-year-old business owner Jaxon Butler, businesswoman Michelle Bardsley, former legislator John Blust, High Point Councilman Britt Moore and former Oak Ridge mayor Ann Schneider.

pjohnson@hpenews.com — 336-888-3528 — @HPEpaul