I feel good about my campaign, my reasons for running, and my commitment to running in a way that you, my supporters, can be proud of. I’ve actively campaigned in every one of the nine counties in the Second District. I’ve been to Chambers of Commerce, churches, farms, NAACP rallies, Habitat for Humanity projects, school boards, small towns, our largest cities, festivals, union meetings, military ceremonies, art shows, and fairs all across the District. I’ve spent hours each day at early voting polls in every county.

Meg & Steve Wilkins voted early in Whispering Pines, Moore County

Even though I’m from this region of North Carolina and worked here most of my adult life, I’ve met people and spent time in places I knew little of before this campaign. Not only did I meet voters, I learned more and more about the issues that matter to you by getting out and around. It’s been a privilege to get to know you more, and it’ll be an honor to serve you in Washington.

A lot is at stake in this election. I’m running because we need seasoned public servants in the US House. This is our highest legislative body, the place where our nations laws are made, decisions about war and peace are debated and decided, and we as individuals and communities seek help when other means of recourse are exhausted. I have the depth of public service, professional experience, educational achievement, and wisdom of age at 52 to live up to the traditions we expect of our Representatives.

I pledge to work for you, to have an office efficient in answering your mail, and will get around to all corners of the Second District as often as I can. Please vote on Tuesday, and vote for me to be your humble public servant. Thank you for your support.

In service,

Steve

Note from the Wilkins for Congress campaign: If you haven’t voted yet and need help locating your voting precinct, make plans to vote with your friends, coworkers, and family tomorrow. Then, please visit the North Carolina State Board of Elections web page.

Steve speaking at the Harnett County Joint Board meeting

The worst example to date of Rep. Ellmers’ absentee tenure as a Congresswoman was in her home county, Harnett County, last week at the combined County Commissioner and School Board meeting. Harnett County schools are overcrowded now due to the growth at Fort Bragg and the resulting increase in families with school age children, and it’s quickly getting worse. A joint meeting was called to discuss the crisis, and community members concerned about their educational system attended to voice their concerns and worries. Ms. Ellmers, though, was a no show.

What kind of representative misses a meeting of this magnitude? This is Ms Ellmers’ home, she has school-age children, and her county needs Federal assistance, but she’s on recess and did not attend. Her chief of staff showed up, but he sat in the back row and said nothing throughout the entire meeting, even when parents and commissioners discussed how they should communicate with their Federal and State representatives. Where was Renee on a night when all the county’s elected officials, state office candidates of both parties, and myself listened and talked about her hometown schools for three hours?

This is just one example of what I’ve been hearing across the Second District. Ellmers fails to understand what the title “Representative” means. She rails against helping find funds for even the most critical local projects by labeling them all as useless earmarks. My thoughts are clear and simple: If your member of Congress is not working to bring your tax dollars back to your district, then you can bet someone else’s representative is working to take your tax dollars out of North Carolina and off to their district.

This failure to understand and fight for ordinary people’s basic needs, such as education, fuels the divisiveness that continues to paralyze the US Congress. Americans across the country are suffering because our representatives spend their time fighting for the special interest groups that fund their campaigns and give them personal vacations in the name of “fact finding.” As a result, many representatives, Ms Ellmers included, don’t have the time or desire to work for local needs – even when it’s in their own backyard.

We have to make some changes, and the most important is to elect new representatives. This is the only way you can get Congress focus on you and the only way to break the gridlock that’s crippling our country. This is why I’m running, and this is why I need your support in my campaign to serve the Second District.