He's ba-ack!
Steve Wood, quirky career politician, has filed to run against High Point Mayor Becky Smothers.
This should be fun.
Wood served eight terms in the N.C. House of Representatives, starting back in 1980. He's been knocked out a few times but then somehow manages to bounce back.
A Republican for most of his tenure, he quit the party in 2000 after losing a primary to John Blust. Wearing the Reformed Party label, Wood ran against Blust again in the general election that year and was trounced.
He regained his House seat in 2002 after re-registering as a Republican and beating Chris Whitley, Bob Fowler and Sam Spagnola in a GOP primary. He won without opposition in the general election in a heavily Republican district.
Wood was out again last year, however, after Laura Wiley beat him in another Republican primary.
Throughout his legislative career, Wood has focused on conservative social causes without concerning himself too much about High Point issues. One exception was the FedEx project, which he opposed.
Smothers is a popular, effective mayor who probably will trounce the mercurial Wood. Voters should question whether he's more interested in serving High Point or in landing himself another political perch. His maneuverings -- supporting Democratic legislative leaders in order to have himself elected speaker pro-tem, for example -- usually promote his own interests first. But you never know what might happen.
High Point muncipal races are nonpartisan, but Wood is a Republican (at the moment) and Smothers is a Democrat (albeit one who's strongly pro-business). Wood could receive significant support in Republican north High Point because of his anti-FedEx position and if he runs on an anti-City Hall platform. A lot of people in north High Point are unhappy enough with the city for many reasons (including the schools, which the city can't control) to vote for him. Wood's best shot is to exploit the division between new (north) High Point and old High Point and win some votes in other conservative pockets of the city, maybe by promising to cut taxes. I doubt that will be enough, but it could make for an interesting election.
Of course, Smothers is not politically passive by any means. If Wood attacks her, she'll give as good as she gets. My prediction is that will be good enough.
Comments (3)
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Granted the city does not control the schools directly. They sure are trying hard to gain control of that stadium though. When it comes to money and the furniture market, they make it their business.
The mayor has not come out, however, to speak against the lottery plan which continues to hurt High Point. Many of the city council have remained silent. People are continually moving out of the city because of it.
They maybe cannot control Guilford County but they most certainly have political influence and have chosen not to use it when it comes to the schools.
Posted on August 7, 2005 10:06 PM
Dan,
Thanks for your comments. I'd find it hard to believe that Becky Smothers wouldn't speak out strongly against the choice plan if she thought it were so harmful to the city in the long run.
Posted on August 8, 2005 8:31 AM
Doug,
My point exactly. Obviously, she thinks it will help High Point or at least "old High Point". But from all indications so far, the plan is failing in many aspects. Parents are putting their kids in private school or taking a loss on their house and moving out of High Point. People know exactly how she feels about this so called plan.
I know of many households who have put in job transfers to leave Guilford County Schools. Even people who are moving to the area from out of state have been very informed about the High Point Choice Plan thanks to the internet. They are choosing Grimsley or Northwest or just not moving here at all.
You can ask any realtor in the county and see what they tell you about sales in High Point. It all has had a domino effect.
Posted on August 8, 2005 4:12 PM