Cook endorses Twiddy in GOP primary, attacks Steinburg

By Outer Banks Voice on April 24, 2018

Bill Cook, Clark Twiddy, Bob Steinburg.

Outgoing state Sen. Bill Cook on Monday formally endorsed Clark Twiddy in the First District Republican primary, while at the same time attacking the other GOP candidate in the race, state Rep. Bob Steinburg.

Cook decided last year not to seek another term in the state Senate after Beaufort County was moved out of the First District following court-ordered redistricting by the General Assembly.

Twiddy said in September he was encouraged by Cook and others to switch from making a bid for Lieutenant Governor in 2020 and run for the General Assembly.

First elected to the House in 2010, Steinburg has had a prickly relationship with both the senator from Chocowinity and his assistant, Jordan Hennessey, according to some legislative insiders.

In mailers sent around the district, Steinburg has assailed Twiddy for campaign donations to Democrats in the past, including when Gov. Roy Cooper was running for Attorney General.

Steinburg also questioned in a Feb. 27 story in the News and Observer why Senate Majority Leader Harry Brown, Senate Rules Chairman Bill Rabon and other Republican leaders were backing Twiddy.

Details from Cook’s endorsement letter:

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I am proud to take a stand in this Primary Election and endorse Conservative Republican Clark Twiddy for the North Carolina State Senate. I am retiring and the seat is open. Northeastern North Carolina is too important to not have the most effective Senatorial representation possible.

Clark is a family man, a businessman and a statesman, exactly the spokesperson we need to carry our message and be one of the decision makers in Raleigh.

Clark’s background as a Naval Intelligence Officer and a business owner gives him a unique skill set that will serve our area well. I have been so impressed with Clark’s work ethic, both in private life and on his campaign. He shows up early, stays late and most important, he listens.

He has embraced the concept that if he is to be the voice for our area, he has to understand the message people want delivered. I cannot think of a person better suited to continue the successful programs of economic progress in Senate District One.

Clark’s opponent in this primary is State Representative Bob Steinburg who’s erratic and unprofessional behavior is not unknown to many people in the Legislature. This behavior is evident in his campaign. Not a day goes by that I don’t hear a story about something he has done that leaves me shaking my head in disbelief.

Bob Steinburg does not have the temperament, the work ethic or judgement to be the Republican Senate nominee for our District. During his service in the NC House he has gained a reputation as “hard to work with”.

Just in the past few weeks, he has publicly and unjustly insulted the N. C. Republican Senate leadership, including the Senator who is in charge of writing the state budget.

I ask you, “How are you going to pass bills or influence the NC Budget if you alienate these sitting Senators”. You cannot hurl insults at people whenever you have a disagreement and this is the norm for Bob Steinburg.

He has made headlines for his poor voting attendance record, one of the worst of any full time member in the State House. There has been a pattern of poor attendance ever since Bob was elected. It is impossible to do the work of the people when you fail to show up to work on a consistent basis.

Maybe most disturbing to me is his attitude of arrogance and disrespect toward the people that elected him. As an elected official it is our responsibility to hear and respect all points of view and always be truthful.

Bob Steinburg has shown a pattern of attacking and intimidating anyone who questions or disagrees with him. He has in this campaign made statements that are less than truthful. These are not qualities to be sought in an elected official.

Finally, since Bob has been involved in this Primary race, he has been relentless in his attacks on Clark Twiddy and his assertion that Bob Steinburg is the only “real Republican” in this race.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. Anyone who has gone to candidate forums and heard both men speak would have little doubt as to who is the Conservative. Clark Twiddy talks about less government, lower taxes, less regulation.

Bob Steinburg talks about using taxpayer money to subsidize the renewable energy industry, about as far from free market as you can get and the exact opposite of the stance laid out in the North Carolina Republican Party platform.

This is just one of the reasons why the North Carolina Free Enterprise Foundation ranks Bob Steinburg last among all Republicans in the State House.

I ask you to do your research. Look up Steinburg’s record. When you do, you will agree with me as a Conservative who believes in the low tax, free market principles that made this state and nation strong, there is a clear choice for State Senate. Please join me in supporting Clark Twiddy for North Carolina State Senate.