8th District's Rep. Melanie Goodwin, Sen. Purcell Make Significant Gain in Effectiveness

Entitled "Local Leader Climbs in Poll", the April 10th issue of the Richmond County Daily Journal says, in part:

Rep. Melanie Wade Goodwin (D-Hamlet) made the biggest leap in effectiveness out of all of the members of the North Carolina House of Representatives, based on a poll released this month.

The North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research Inc. showed Goodwin vaulted from 73rd in 2005 to 31st this year — a difference of 42 places. The only lawmaker to come close was Rep. Grier Martin (D-Wake) who went up 38 spots. He was ranked 68th in 2005 and is now ranked 30th.

Goodwin is serving her second term in the house. She is a member of the appropriations committee and chairman of the election law and vice chairman of the Judiciary I committee. She also serves as a member of six other committees.

“It’s an honor,” Goodwin said of the ranking. “I can say with every passing day I learn something new as a lawmaker. I’m learning how to get things done for my constituents and for general citizens. A lot of what I’ve learned is that getting legislation passed is all about the personal relationships you have with your colleagues. I’ve worked very hard to establish relationships not just in my party, but with members across the aisle so we can pass good laws for our citizens.”

It’s been a challenge for me, but I feel like it was the right time and I’ve enjoyed it tremendously,” Goodwin said.

To read the full article, then go to the following link:

http://www.yourdailyjournal.com/articles/2008/04/10/news/news03.txt

It mentions Sen. Purcell and Rep. Goodwin, as well as Rep. Grier Martin, Speaker Joe Hackney, and others.

We are very proud of two of the Eighth District's best state legislators!

And, of course, I am most proud of Melanie. She has not only served 2 terms in the legislature (and is ready for her 3rd), but has done it with amazing grace, competence, hard work, and style. Plus, our 2nd child is expected to be born in 3 weeks ... and she is s-o-o-o much a better legislator (and better looking) than her predecessor. :) Congratulations!

Want a Sneak Preview of Wayne Goodwin's Campaign Ad for Insurance Commissioner?

Then all you have to do is visit my website, www.waynegoodwin.org and click on the link that says "Watch Wayne's New TV Ad!"

Afterward, let me know what you think about it.

And while you're there on the campaign website, be sure to read why I believe I'm your best choice for Insurance Commissioner of North Carolina in 2008 ... as well as how broad and deep my support is around the State.

My endorsements include Insurance Commissioner Jim Long, the NC Association of Educators (NCAE), NC State AFL-CIO, the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Durham mayor Bill Bell, leaders of the NC State Firemen's Association and NC Rescue and EMS Association, Hoke County Firefighters, the Richmond County Daily Journal, NC Academy of Trial Lawyers, and countless legislators, local officials, firefighters, first responders, small business owners, etc. ... And then there are the 500+ individuals who have already donated small-dollar qualifying contributions of $10 or more as part of my decision to be a publicly-financed candidate! (I need just a handful more to cross the statutory threshold, so fans of “Wayne’s World”: I need your help ...)

If you're interested in how you can further help me become our next Insurance Commissioner of North Carolina, then please email me directly at gwaynegoodwin@gmail.com.

Meanwhile, your contribution of only between $10 and $200 does two essential things: It will help ensure that my TV ad runs as much as possible on TV across the State and that I qualify for public funding for the General Election. If you'd like to help me with this specific task, then send your personal check or money order to The Goodwin Committee, P.O. Box 1654, Hamlet NC 28345 TODAY. Put "TV ad" on the memo section of your check.

And above all else, remember that I ask for your vote and for your support in the 2008 Democratic primary election. I'm counting on a strong 8th District turnout to win!

Thank you!

- Wayne

Wayne's World Returns!

Yes, Wayne's World has been on a short hiatus as the rigors of campaigning across the State have taken their toll on all available time. (By the way, did you know that there is a small stretch of North Carolina actually west of Murphy, North Carolina? Yes, it's true. And I've campaigned there, right up and on the NC-TN line. Stay tuned for a later blog post with feature photo of me pointing to a sign that reads "Manteo: 563 miles".)

Over the last several weeks, in and around the 8th Congressional District there have been visits by former President Bill Clinton (at least 3 times by my count) and Sen. Barack Obama.

We've also seen a deluge of visits by more and more of the statewide campaigns, doing their best to grasp for the remaining air not sucked out by the presidential candidates.

Meanwhile, today I received an updated spreadsheet detailing the new voter registrations all across North Carolina. The 8th District is looking really good, in my opinion (though I wish Union County's Rs were not as prevalent).

And, coming up just 2 weeks from today are the Democratic county conventions in all 100 Tar Heel counties.

With early voting slated to commence April 17, I believe it's more than fair to say the downpour of candidates from federal to local offices in the 8th Congressional District this month will bring to a quick halt what had been a drought - at least of the political variety!