WHITEVILLE — A second Republican from Columbus County has announced that he will enter the Republican primary as a candidate for the newly created Senate District 13. Michael Walters, a Democrat from Proctorville, currently holds the Senate seat that now encompasses Robeson and Hoke counties.
Tea Party advocate Nicholas Margus, 45, who has lived in the Acme-Delco area for about 11 years, will run for the newly created district that will include Robeson and Columbus counties. Columbus County, now in Senate District 8, now shares a senator with Brunswick and Pender counties. District 8 is currently represented by Bill Rabon, a Republican.
Margus, originally from Philadelphia, has lived in North Carolina for about 18 years. He was in the U.S. Marines from 1993 until 2005, serving at the same time and in the same battalion as Ilario Pantano, an announced Republican candidate in the state’s 7th Congressional District.
Margus earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Liberty University in 1991, and a master’s degree in religion in 2003. Recently he earned a second master’s degree in history from Sam Houston State University.
The candidate is a part-time adjunct professor, teaching religion and ethics at area community colleges.
A self-proclaimed “average Joe military veteran and biker,” Margus is running for his first political office. He has been politically active in the past, recently working with Pantano in his 2010 campaign against U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre, a Democrat from Lumberton.
“I believe the common people need to be represented in our government,” he said. “Elitists want to dictate and control, rather than represent the interests of the people.”
Margus believes the size of government needs to be reduced, taxes cut, and regulations need to be eased.
“We need to get the government off the backs of the people,” Margus said.
Margus said that the solution to the state’s economic and social concerns are simple.
“The problems are sometimes complicated, but there is a very simple and practical solution,” he said. “We as a people and citizens of North Carolina can solve every major problem that we face today with government — both at the local and state levels — if we shrink the monster state government bureaucracies that penalize, fine, and outright bully our citizens, and if we get back to First Principles (U.S. Constitution)… .”
Margus is a member of the Concerned Bikers Association, which he described as a “motorcycle rights organization.” He also is the father of five children, ages 8 to 15.
Margus will face W. Bernard White Jr., 43, of Whiteville, in the GOP primary.
Walters will be seeking re-election to the District 13 seat he has held since being appointed to fill the unexpired term of David Weinstein, who resigned in late 2009. Walters won a two-year term during the 2010 election.
Filing for the primaries is slated to begin in February, with the primary to be held in May and the General Election in November.
Reach staff writer Bob Shiles at 910-272-6117 or bshiles@heartlandpublications.com.
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