CJ’s David Bass writes up the N.C. Senate District 33 race, where incumbent Stan Bingham is facing primary challengers for the first time in his political career.
Bingham faces two challengers — businessman Eddie Gallimore and and Davidson County Commissioner Sam Watford. Gallimore is challenging Bingham on fiscal and social issues. Remember Bingham’s non-vote on an abortion bill:
Bingham was the only Republican in 2011 in either chamber to vote against an informed consent for abortion law. A month later, he drew criticism from foes of the bill when he skipped a vote to override Gov. Bev Perdue’s veto of the legislation. If Bingham had remained in the chamber and voted against the override, Perdue’s action would have stood and the bill wouldn’t have become law.
“He was voted to go to Raleigh to do a job, to vote on legislation … instead of casting his vote, he just got up and walked out,” Gallimore said. “Whether he’s for it or against it, he should have stated his opinion by voting, and he did not.”
Watford is challenging Bingham over the Alcoa Dam:
Bingham sponsored legislation in 2011 that would chip away at the ability of Alcoa Power Generation Inc. to operate as a private company in North Carolina. The company controls four hydroelectric dams on the Yadkin River; some elected officials, including Perdue, want the state to take control of the dams.
Watford described himself as “totally against” the state taking ownership. “We have to take some private property for roads, but not businesses,” he said. “I can’t imagine the state taking ownership of it.”
No Democrat has filed in the district, so this is a winner-take-all primary.