Congressional Candidate Ashley Woolard kicks off his Campaign at Rally | Eastern North Carolina Now

    It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon at the Woolard’s residence, which is part of their family estate, on Market Street Extension. The sky was blue the music, the music was very entertaining, and the conversation was definitely concerning politics, and the direction of our government; its resulting influence upon our society.

    Ashley Woolard’s residence is a lovely renovated farm home sitting atop the high ground adjacent to a recently harvested farm field. The white clapboard siding of the old home place, made new again, suggests a purity of purpose in the young candidate’s life and the direction he envisions for his community and his nation.

    Ashley Woolard (left) meets with friends and future constituents to discuss issues at his Campaign Kickoff Rally: Above. The candidate's wife, Jessica Woolard, playing host to the happy crowd of well wishers: Below.



    This Rally spoke volumes about the young man, who will challenge G. K. Butterfield for the 1st District seat in next year’s General Election on the first Tuesday in November. The attention to every detail from the entertainment of his guests to his message of hope in this world of difficult times around every treacherous bend in our common collective road, which we must negotiate.



    The candidate addressed the crowd at the November 7, 2009 Rally: Above. The attentive crowd looking for "Change they can believe in:" Below.

    From this Rally, one could also discern by casting his / her eyes on his tight family unit that Ashley Woolard has some proverbial “skin in the game” of this life, and therefore his community. His expectant wife Jessica was radiant as she played host to the 250 guests visiting with the congressional candidate and his family on this Saturday afternoon. His son, Payton, age 8, enjoyed the company of some of the younger visitors, while his youngest son, Parker, age 3, stood on the platform, while his father spoke to the crowd that heeded his call of hope from the perseverance of old fashioned American values reborn, and good sense tendered that will spring from his efforts as our representative. This was his solemn promise, as Ashley kept Parker gathered about him: A symbol that each of us, young and old, are all in this sticky mess together, and somebody will need to help us manage our way out of it.

    Jessica Woolard entertains Belhaven native David Cox: Above. For some unknown reason, there is always a group standing near the keg: Below.



    Below, we are providing images of the Rally, as we have done in our “Every Picture Tells a Story … Don’t It” series, that may tell a piece of this story to some of you.

    Further below these images, we are supplying Candidate Woolard’s media release that will offer a clear perspective of this young candidate’s vision. I hope that you will find these materials informative and you may gain a greater insight into Ashley Woolard’s purposeful endeavor:

    Who said Republicans don't know how to have fun? Above. A reunion of sorts for Commissioner Hood Richardson and Suprintendent George Thigpen: Below.



    Woolard Kicks Off Campaign for Congress

    Beaufort County businessman Ashley Woolard kicked off his campaign for congress from the 1st District as two hundred and fifty well wishers from across North Eastern North Caroina mixed with a smattering of political leaders from across the state. Billed as the “First Annual Pig Pickin’”, Woolard hosted his event at his old family home place north of Washington. Live entertainment interspersed with the obligatory remarks by office holders and seekers, preceded a short address by candidate Woolard. He spoke of his ties to the area stretching back five generations and to this place on which his grand parents and great grand parents lived. Woolard bemoaned the fact that “we are not leaving the same Eastern North Carolina that he grew up in to our children. We’ve got problems and challenges” he said. “Our challenges aren't Democratic or Republican. They're not liberal or conservative. They are Eastern North Carolina challenges that we will overcome with Eastern North Carolina resolve.” Woolard believes that the only way that to create jobs and attract economic development to the area is by, “bringing people of all parties together and giving everyone a seat at the table. You don't have a seat now. There's not even a table in Eastern North Carolina. The table is in back rooms in Washington, DC and Raleigh, and all the seats are taken by big city politicians, union bosses, corporate fat cats and special interests that don't have your best interests in mind.”

    “All but three counties in the 1st District have more than 10% unemployment. Edgecombe has 16.5%. Vance Warren and Halifax have 13%. Here in Beaufort County and neighboring Washington County, we have nearly 12%. Those are the official numbers. In fact they're a good deal higher because they don't take into account folks who have just plain given up looking for jobs. The economists tell us that even though the recession is officially over, employment may continue to fall for the next year or year and1/2.”

    “This”. he said, “is unacceptable”. Woolard pledged that when he went to Washington it would be as a “citizen legislator”, regularly returning to his base for consultations from his constituents, and coming back home to his family business in Washington North Carolina, not remaining as a career politician in Washington, DC.

    The candidate addressed the crowd at the November 7, 2009 Rally.