Elbie Powers

Biography

Elbie Powers is a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor.

Early Life and Education

Elbie Powers was born on July 2, 1951, in Robeson County.

He was and raised on a farm and attended St. Pauls High School.

Professional Career

Powers owns a farm in Sampson County, where he has grown wheat, cotton and soybeans. In 1996, he began growing and processing pecans.

His wife, Becky, recently retired from her teaching position in Macon County Schools. 

Political Career

In 2008, he ran for the Republican nomination for governor, his first campaign.

He said that he chose to join the Republican ticket because there was no category for "fed-up taxpayer." 

He pledged to reduce taxes, lower gas prices, cut insurance premiums, create 1,000 jobs in each county, allow farmers to hire illegal immigrants when no locals want the job, limit state contracts to North Carolina businesses, put prisoners to work and cut incentives. 

In the primary, he faces Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr, Salisbury attorney Bill Graham, state Sen. Fred Smith. 

Research and reporting by Ryan Teague Beckwith. 

Occupation

Contact Info

Email: lbp@intrstar.net

Education

Military

Issues

How will you measure success in your first year in office?

"The satisfaction of taxpayers. Their sigh of relief will be success enough. That'll be a voice on its own." 

Tell us about something you did for someone else.

"I don't answer questions like that."

What is the biggest challenge facing North Carolina? Your county? Your district?

"The biggest challenge is to get all new leaders up there, new decision makers with common sense that will implement common sense and knows how to do it and get away from the political system which favors the politicians and the corporate world. Put common sense to work for the relief of taxpayers." 

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