Blackwood won’t seek fifth term (The Enquirer-Journal)
Curtis Blackwood announced Thursday he will not run for a fifth term as representative of North Carolina’s District 68.
“Having spent over 10 percent of my life here in Raleigh, and believing in term limits, I have consulted with my family and believe that it is time to move onto other things,” Blackwood said in a press release sent by his office. “You certainly don’t need or deserve a professional politician.”
Blackwood expressed concern that ‘conservatives’ will take control of the District 68 seat in the next election, but said in the release that the longer a person serves in politics, “The more they tend to take on the point of view of the institution, rather than the people they serve.”
He plans to travel and spend time with his wife and family.
Joe Gerber announced his intentions to run for the seat as a Republican in December. The official filing date to become a candidate is Feb. 3.
Gerber is a proponent of term limits as well.
“I feel like four terms is enough,” Gerber said. “After four terms, you become what I consider a career politician.”
Blackwood’s announcement won’t affect Gerber’s campaign, the candidate said.
“I always felt I stood a very good chance,” Gerber said.
Gerber plans to focus on term limits, domestic violence and infrastructure needs during his campaign.
Blackwood’s announcement is good news, according to Nancy Rorie, a Union County resident and past president of N.C. Democratic Women. She is not aware of any Democrats in Union County who have expressed interest in running for the Dist. 68 seat.
“A Republican is going to win in that district, so I hope it’s a Republican who will represent all the citizens of Union County well,” Rorie said.
by Alan Jenkins
