Ogre’s Politics and Views

So, if you’re not from North Carolina, I’m sure you have no idea who this “Thomas Wright” might be. Let me tell you a little about him. Thomas Wright, a Democrat from Wilmington, NC, has served in the NC House for about 15 years. He lists his occupation (because in NC legislators are supposed to be “part time”) as EMS instructor.

On March 20th of this year, Wright was thrown out of the North Carolina House. Yes, for the first time in a VERY long time, Democrats actually voted to throw a Democrat out (when they wouldn’t even vote out convicted felon Jim Black) for

unethical conduct unfitting and unbecoming a member of the House of representatives.

The vote was 109-5 (for the record, one of those 5 no votes was Wright himself).

On April 7th of this year, a jury found Wright guilty of three felony counts of fraud. As would be expected, Wright continues to deny ANY wrongdoing at all, ever. He was sentenced to 6-8 years in jail.

So, what does a Democrat do when faced with all this? Complain and scream. He’s filed appeals of the House ejection and of the fraud convictions. Oh, and he remains on the ballot for election this year. Seriously. And not one word from any Democrat Party county officials in the two counties he represents, or the state Democrat Party. According to news reports, he is currently in Craven Correctional Facility. Strangely enough, he doesn’t show up in an online records search for inmates. Either way, it appears he’s campaigning for elected office as a Democrat from within the NC jail system. There are two other Democrats in a primary for that seat. It will be quite interesting should Thomas Wright win that one, won’t it (any operation Chaos members out there)?

The ONLY person I have heard or read call for Thomas Wright to withdraw from the election is he Republican opponent, Thom Goolsby:

“Thomas Wright did not take his obligation to provide honest service to the people seriously, and he paid the price in the courtroom,” Goolsby said. “It is long past time that Thomas Wright end his candidacy for the House,” he stated.

After being elected to the House eight times, former Representative Wright found himself ensnared in multiple fraud and corruption scandals. In March, Wright’s misdeeds earned him the dubious distinction of being the first legislator to be expelled from the General Assembly since 1880. Yesterday’s criminal convictions underscore the need for new legislative leadership for the New Hanover and Pender County citizens of District 18.

“Even though he has received his criminal sentence, there is a very real danger that Thomas Wright could prevail in the Democratic primary on May 6th,” Goolsby said. “If he does, I will be ready to fight for the honor and integrity of our representation in the General Election. Make no mistake about it, if former Representative Wright is the Democratic nominee for House, I will campaign hard and defeat him in November,” he concluded.

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Tags: 2008 Elections, North Carolina Government //