Kerr will run for 8th term in November
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on February 9, 2006 1:55 PM
State Sen. John Kerr has announced he will seek re-election to an eighth term in office.
Kerr, a Democrat, represents the 5th District, which includes Wayne, Greene and Pitt counties. He is chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and vicechairman of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs, Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
He said in a statement that if re-elected he would continue to work for better economic and educational opportunities for his constituents.
"Our state government needs to set the right priorities in jobs, education and fiscal responsibility to keep our communities and our state moving forward," Kerr said.
Kerr said North Carolina is moving in the right direction. He noted that a national magazine rated the state as having the nation's best business climate. The state's fourth- and eighth-grade students led the nation in improvements on math test scores, and six of the campuses in the University of North Carolina system are ranked among Kiplinger's "Best Values in Public Colleges."
At the same time, Kerr said, the state has managed to keep its tax burden below the national average and is ranked fourth in the nation in fiscal responsibility.
Kerr said that despite the successes, the state is still recovering from job losses caused by unfair federal trade policies.
"North Carolina must be as aggressive as possible in bringing good jobs to our people," Kerr said. He said the effort would require continuing investment in education, job creation and health care. He noted that last year's budget included $20 million for rural economic growth, enrollment funds and student financial aid for community colleges and universities, and increased funding for ECU's family medicine program.
The budget also included support for Seymour Johnson AFB and other military bases in North Carolina, he said.
"Building on our efforts to strengthen our economy, especially in our rural areas and military communities, will continue to be a top priority," Kerr said.
Kerr also serves on the committees on economic development, commerce, appropriations and judiciary. He is a Goldsboro lawyer and served several terms in the state House before being elected to the Senate.
"By making the right investments in jobs and education, by protecting our military bases and by acting responsibly to help keep taxes low, we can give North Carolina's children and families a better and safer life, now and in the future," Kerr said. "I look forward to continuing to work hard for the folks in our district I am so proud to represent."
Senate terms are two years. The primary is May 2, and the general election is Nov. 7.