Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM FEBRUARY 2 - 8, 2022 UCW 7 the 2022 elections. If she were to be elected, she would focus on ending the Green New Deal and help support an American Parents Bill of Rights that would allow parents to have the right to know what curricu- lum is being taught to their children and have a say in it. She stated that she does not view President Joe Biden as a legitimate president but is against federalizing election law. She would help support Voter ID and Picture ID laws but it should be left up to the states. Nat Robertson Robertson is a familiar face to Fayetteville natives as Fayetteville's former Mayor. He was also appointed to the Trump White House Round- table on Infrastructure, the North Carolina Governors Crime Commis- sion under Pat McCrory, N.C. League of Municipalities, e Task Force on Veteran Homelessness, the Task Force on Opioid Addiction Awareness and the Fayetteville Police Foundation. When it comes to the Speaker of the House, Robertson says he will listen to what the Republican leadership says and go with them. He said that making those connections early on would help him pass legislation later. He also said that he would be interested in serving on a committee that would work for veterans. He says he is not a fan of big govern- ment and believes many issues, such as crime and elections, should be done on a state and local level. He also emphasized family values throughout the forum. However, he says he is concerned that China- owned companies compromise those values. Alan Swain Swain is a veteran who previously worked at the White House under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush as the Executive Officer to the White House Drug Czar. He told people at the forum that he knows D.C. and is a fighter. He stated that he would have con- cerns if Kevin McCarthy was elected as House Speaker and be more comfort- able voting for Steve Scalise. How- ever, if Scalise doesn't run for House Speaker, Swain said he would also look at Jim Banks, a well-liked fresh face. Swain also noted that he would be interested in serving on the House Oversight Committee, House Judiciary Committee and the House Armed Services Committee. However, he did mention that he would want term lim- its and would pass that if voted on. He is worried about illegal immigra- tion and how many federal depart- ments are becoming biased and not enforcing what they are sworn to do, like the Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services and Homeland Security. He also noted that China is one of the U.S.'s most significant enemies, and we need to be more pre- pared in defense against them. John Szoka Szoka is a veteran and is currently a representative for North Carolina House District 45 and has been in that seat since 2013. He is currently serving on the Bank- ing Committee, Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform Commit- tee, Energy and Public Utilities Com- mittee, House Finance Committee, Health Committee, House Redistrict- ing Committee and the Rules, Cal- endar and Operations of the House Committee. Szoka says he currently has no favorite pick for a possible House Speaker and says that the Republican Party needs to focus on having a suc- cessful election. He would be inter- ested in serving on the Armed Services Committee or the Energy and Com- merce Committee. He believes in making sure no feder- al law passes regarding state elections, even relating to Voter ID. However, he said the most significant impact that voters will have on election law is the upcoming fall election of the State Supreme Court. Like the other candidates, he be- lieves that the pipeline should reopen to secure energy independence. However, while companies should work towards sustainable energy, no mandates should force them to follow sustainable energy options. He also noted that the United States needs to maintain a strong military force, especially against China and Russia. He says he is concerned about online security, and that needs to be a more prominent topic on how to stop electronic hacks on our government. Following the forum, the Cumberland County GOP Chapter held a straw poll, both in-person and online. e top candidates for the in-house straw poll were Barbour, polling at 25.6%, Szoka, polling at 23.3%, and Cowden, polling at 20.9%. e people at the bottom of the poll were Brews- ter, Andriani and Borghese. e Primary Election will take place on May 17. NEWS HANNAH LEE, Assistant Editor. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. My father has been at Harmony for a few months now and I am beyond grateful to know that he is not only in a safe place, but that he is being treated with the respect and dignity that our aging loved ones so deserve. Sherrie S. Family Member of Current Resident 7051 Rockfish Road, Fayetteville, NC 28306 www.HarmonyatHopeMills.com Call 910.849.2306 to Schedule a Tour! When our family cares for your family, it's Harmony. SECURED ASSISTED LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING I am beyond grateful to know that he is not only in a safe place, but that he is being treated with respect and dignity. " "