Incumbent Cleveland Faces Former Commissioner McLaughlin in HD 14 Primary | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: The author of this post is Sarah Okeson, who is a contributor for the Carolina Journal, John Hood Publisher.

Two military veterans highlight importance of Atlantic Coast Pipeline, criticize governor's handling of mitigation fund

    Republican primary, House District 14, Onslow County

• George Cleveland (incumbent, seven terms). Education: B.S. in mathematics education, University of Maryland-College Park. Retired, 25-year Marine Corps decorated veteran and Vietnam veteran, business owner, teacher. Career highlights: Committee chairman of Homeland Security, Military, and Veterans Affairs; Appropriations, General Government; Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on General Government; committee vice chairman of Appropriations, and Transportation. Former Republican National Convention delegate, member of N.C. Republican Party Executive Committee.
• Joe McLaughlin, former Onslow County Commissioner, retired and decorated Army infantry officer, master parachutist. Occupation: Financial planner. Education: B.S. U.S. Air Force Academy, M.S. Naval Postgraduate School, attended U.S. Army Command & General Staff College. Career highlights: Earned Certified Financial Planner designation, holds several professional insurance, investment, and securities qualifications.

    A Jacksonville financial planner is running in the House District 14 Republican primary against the incumbent who has held the seat since 2004.

    Challenger Joe McLaughlin, 63, a former Onslow County commissioner, said he is running to ensure Onslow County residents have an effective voice in Raleigh.

    "I have the experience to fight for these fine people and for all North Carolinians in the General Assembly," McLaughlin said.

    George Cleveland, 78, of Jacksonville, the incumbent, said he is running to continue serving people in his eastern North Carolina district and the state. He chairs a number of legislative committees.

    "This experience allows me to be instrumental in influencing legislation and budgeting decisions among my peers much more so than a freshman legislator," Cleveland said.

    The winner of the primary will face Democrat Isaiah Johnson, who has no primary opponent.

    About 35 percent of the district's 50,399 voters, or 17,470, are registered Republicans. The North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation, which closely tracks elections, lists the district as "Strong Republican."

    Cleveland said the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, which would carry natural gas from West Virginia to eastern North Carolina, will help bring jobs and economic development to eastern North Carolina. He criticized the $57.8 million fund Gov. Roy Cooper negotiated with pipeline operators without legislative input. Cooper said the money would pay for economic development, renewable energy projects, and repairing environmental damage.

    "Repairing environmental damage was already a part of the requirement of the project contract, and the rest of the rationale should lead to legislative oversight, not the governor or a committee appointed by him," Cleveland said.

    Cleveland said he approved of House Bill 90, which diverts the money to public education in the eight counties the pipeline traverses.

    "The affected counties are mostly low wealth and need as much help as they can get in their educational systems," Cleveland said.

    McLaughlin said the pipeline will bring jobs that start at $19 to $45 an hour. He also criticized Cooper's creation of the fund, and supported House Bill 90.

    "Good government is a responsibility all elected officials must hold dear, and if good government is in jeopardy, such as through a 'slush fund,' the other branches of government must right the wrong," McLaughlin said.

    In other issues, McLaughlin said infrastructure, especially in areas serving military bases such as Camp Lejeune, needs to be improved.

    Cleveland said the opioid crisis, mental health, and human trafficking need to be addressed.

    Cleveland's campaign fund had almost $7,000 on hand at the end of the year, according a report filed in March with the State Board of Elections. McLaughlin had raised $207, the cost of his filing fee with the State Board of Elections.