Former Republican Rep. Mark Walker launched a bid for the Republican nomination for governor of North Carolina on Saturday, saying he would campaign on education, economic “freedom” and “protection” for children and families.
Walker, who previously served as vice chairman of the House Republican Conference and represented the state’s 6th Congressional District for six years, announced his campaign at a launch event in the city of Kernersville.
“We are proud North Carolina — we love our state and our nation, and God calls us to stand up for our friends, our families and our freedoms,” he said. “That’s why we participate in our republic, and that’s why we advance the ideas of conservatism, because we believe that individual freedoms and respect for God-given rights are what make us strong.”
Walker called for blocking “federal mandates” for education during his speech, saying decision-making should go back to school boards and parents.
“Until we carry out a true educational reform for our state, we cannot fundamentally change our trajectory. This is how we empower the American family in the 21st century,” he said.
Walker said North Carolina has an opportunity to lead the country in several economic sectors and needs to be ahead of the curve in the number of people moving to the state. He said the state should increase infrastructure on its roads and ports and extend broadband access to all parts of the state.
He also said he would be “relentless” in fighting the use of gender affirmation for transgender children, which he says is harming children and families.
Walker is running to succeed incumbent Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who is term-limited and cannot seek re-election in 2024. The race to lead the swing state will likely be one of the highest-profile gubernatorial races in the country next year.
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Walker will face at least Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R), who has been considered a front-runner for the nomination, and state Treasurer Dale Folwell in the primary. Other candidates can also join the race.
“We need a candidate who can withstand a level of scrutiny that has not been seen in our history at the state level. Our candidate for governor will be under a microscope, and that candidate must be able to withstand a thorough examination by the press and our political adversaries,” Walker said. “I’m that candidate and I think I’m the only one who can win both the primary and the general election.”
Walker ran for an open Senate seat to succeed retiring Sen. Richard Burr (R) last year, but finished third in the Republican primary.
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