Lenoir commissioner to run for Albertson seat
By Matthew Whittle
Published in News on January 17, 2010 1:50 AM
Chris Humphrey
Lenoir County Commissioner Chris Humphrey announced Friday that he will seek the Republican nomination for the state Senate District 10 seat -- the position formerly held by Charlie Albertson.
Humphrey, 40, of Kinston, has served on the county commission since 2002 and owns Chris Humphrey Insurance Agency and Humphrey Realty Group. He explained that he just felt the timing was right for a bid for state Senate.
"I started looking at this race really a few months ago. I wouldn't say I'd always had my eye on the seat -- maybe I did somewhat -- but I had a few phone calls, and the timing just seemed right, regardless of what Charlie Albertson was planning on doing," he said, adding that he believes that voters across the country, the state and the district are ready to make a change, and that he can bring a new perspective to Raleigh.
"The economy here in eastern North Carolina has been tough and I think people are looking for some change," he said. "We've had some good luck in Lenoir County, and I'd like to take some of that momentum back to Raleigh.
"I've got the time, the energy. I'm a small business owner. I've made a payroll. I have a family. I understand you can't spent more than you take in, and that's what's been going on in government in Raleigh. I'm a believe in fiscal responsibility."
He also talked about the importance of being active in helping to create jobs.
"I want my daughters, when they go off to school, to be able to come back here and raise their families and have good jobs," he said. "We've got to educate our children. We've got to lower taxes and we've got to create some jobs."
Because, he continued, at the end of the day, his main job is to help improve his district.
"I've always had an interest in government. I've always wanted to get involved," Humphrey said. "I want to help people, help them do better. We work for the people. It's the people's money, the people's government, and I've always tried to work that way."
But with primaries coming up in May and the general election in November, it's not likely to be an easy path to Raleigh.
And while no other Republican candidate has stepped forward, one prominent name being mentioned by those on the Democratic side of the aisle is Duplin County District Attorney Dewey Hudson who announced Friday that he will not be seeking re-election.
Hudson, who has served Duplin, Jones, Onslow and Sampson counties for the past 33 years, said he decided it was simply time do something different -- but that his decision was not made with the Albertson's Senate seat in mind.
"My decision to not run for district attorney again is independent of any other political aspirations," he said. "After 33 years I felt it was time for a change and this seemed to be an appropriate time to do this."
But, he added, "I am considering running for another office, and I'll be making that announcement next week."