By Miles Layton

I listened to the Republican congressional candidate forum on Thursday on WNCT – see link here if you missed it.  

Since the forum didn’t feature the mainstream media’s preferred political party – Democrats – I suspect that few, if any, area print newspapers across the 25 counties of the First Congressional District covered the program, so I figured I’d better write a story for our readers, some of whom may have been at last night’s inaugural basketball game being played in the new John A. Holmes High School’s gymnasium.

The forum’s moderator, Henry Hinton, grew up in Chowan County, so I knew he’d do a good job – he did! The candidates voiced their views and policies, many of them echoing each other’s political objectives and praise for President Trump – no shocker there, as each seeks to claim the MAGA movement’s embrace, which is needed to win the primary and November election. 

That said, I wished for a more no-holds-barred forum like when Trump was seeking the presidential nomination. 

Candidate Asa Buck lobbed a grenade at the tail end of the forum against Laurie Buckhout – but that was about it. The rest of the program featured one-minute soundbite answers that probably didn’t do much to move their campaigns forward much. 

Would’ve been entertaining, though not necessarily productive to public policy or civilty, to see the candidates hurl insults like – why do you dress like a game show host – then another candidate firing back – shut up, Carpetbagger Barbie – maybe, she could return fire by saying go put your bullet in your gun, Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane, before lecturing me about anything because I served my country in uniform for nearly 30 years. Then we had the lawyer – congress needs more of those… And we had the good-ole-boy from the country – I can’t think of a Trump-like nickname for him. 

That said, each candidate was polished, has a compelling biography, and, if elected in November, would make a good congressman.   

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GREENVILLE — Five Republican candidates seeking their party’s nomination for Congress in North Carolina’s First District shared their views on healthcare, immigration, spending, energy, and Social Security during a televised candidate forum Thursday night hosted by longtime broadcaster Henry Hinton.

The forum, part of Hinton’s “Talk of the Town” program, brought together Laurie Buckhout, Bobby Hanig, Eric Rouse, Ashley Nicole Russell, and Asa Buck at one table to answer questions in a rotating format.

Hinton welcomed viewers and outlined the stakes of the race.

“Welcome to our televised Talk of the Town Candidates Forum,” he said. “We’re excited to have all of the candidates for the Republican nomination for Congress in Eastern North Carolina’s First District together tonight. They’re going to answer questions about the biggest issues facing our part of the state.”

Qualifications for Office

The first question asked each candidate what uniquely qualified them to serve in Congress. While their views largely aligned on immigration, spending, and support for former President Donald Trump, differences emerged over experience

Ashley Nicole Russell described herself as a political outsider.

“I am not a career politician,” she said. “This is something that I’m doing because I feel very much like I’m led to do this. I have been able to pass policy reform in different states and across North Carolina. I created collaborative family law and mediation across the state.”

She added, “I’ve been a North Carolinian my entire life. Eastern North Carolina is in my blood.”

Eric Rouse emphasized his business background and public service.

“I am from eastern North Carolina. I grew up here,” he said. “We created several businesses that blossomed in blue-collar jobs. I’ve also served as a commissioner for sixteen years on a Democratic board. I bring a lot of experience to the table.”

Laurie Buckhout pointed to her military and federal service.

“I’m Colonel Laurie Buckhout. I’m combat-tested. I’ve led troops in combat,” she said. “I started a business. We hired over a hundred and fifty veterans. I served as Assistant Secretary of War for Cyber. I’m ready to fight for the people of eastern North Carolina.”

State Sen. Bobby Hanig highlighted his legislative experience.

“I’ve served in all levels of government, from county commissioner to the North Carolina House and Senate,” Hanig said. “I’ve served fifteen of the twenty-five counties in this district. I know that I’m the one that’s going to beat Don Davis.”

Asa Buck focused on his law enforcement career.

“Nineteen years of being an elected sheriff,” he said. “I know what it means to listen to people and hear their concerns and work toward common-sense solutions.”

Rural Healthcare

Hinton next asked about the crisis facing rural hospitals.

Rouse criticized the Affordable Care Act.

“I don’t believe in Obamacare,” he said. “We need to get rid of that and let the free market prevail. We need to get away from the Biden era and support rural community hospitals.”

Buckhout said funding and advocacy were key.

“We have counties where there’s virtually no medical care,” she said. “The President is addressing that through the Big Beautiful Bill. We need somebody willing to fight for that money and bring it here.”

Hanig cited specific programs.

“There’s fifty billion dollars set out for the Rural Hospital Transformation Fund,” he said. “We’re already working on two hospitals in eastern North Carolina.”

Buck focused on demographics and finances.

“Some of our counties have declining populations,” he said. “Rural hospitals have a harder time making the dollars go. We have to look at what’s driving costs.”

Russell shared stories from residents.

“Constituents are spending more on healthcare than they do on their mortgage,” she said. “That’s ridiculous. We need to open up the free market and support rural hospitals.”

Congressional Priorities

Asked what Congress should do to benefit the district, Buckhout emphasized cost of living.

“We need to push the America First agenda, cut regulation, cut spending, and put more money back into pockets,” she said.

Hanig focused on reducing government.

“The most important action would be to continue with DOGE,” he said. “Reducing bloated agencies gives us more money for rural healthcare.”

Buck argued for reforming Congress.

“The first thing that needs to be reformed is Congress,” he said. “We need term limits so people can trust their institutions.”

Russell echoed that view.

“We absolutely have to reduce the bloat,” she said. “I’ve signed the term limits pledge. We need to get rid of career politicians.”

Rouse called for fiscal discipline.

“We need a balanced budget amendment,” he said. “That’s unsustainable spending.”

Immigration and Border Policy

Candidates were unanimous in supporting the Trump administration’s approach to immigration.

“I wholeheartedly support what’s going on,” Rouse said. “If sanctuary cities would cooperate with ICE, we wouldn’t have these problems.”

Buck said enforcement should not be politicized.

“Trump secured the border overnight,” he said. “Law enforcement should not be political.”

Russell said she would not change course.

“I would not do anything different,” she said. “Being an American is an honor. We’re going to stop illegal immigration.”

Buckhout framed the issue as national security.

“Borders are national security,” she said. “We’re a nation of laws. We expect people to come here legally.”

National Debt and Spending

With the national debt exceeding $38 trillion, candidates were asked about fiscal restraint.

Buck called for constitutional action.

“We need a balanced budget amendment,” he said. “We cannot continue to spend this country into oblivion.”

Russell linked spending to personal responsibility.

“I run a balanced budget,” she said. “What’s happening is gross negligence.”

Rouse highlighted tariffs and revenue.

“The tariffs have brought in ninety billion dollars in the first quarter,” he said. “We have to cut spending.”

Buckhout criticized federal habits.

“The government has been spending money like drunken sailors,” she said. “We have to reduce taxes and reduce spending.”

Hanig pointed to his record.

“I reduced our budget by hundreds of millions of dollars,” he said. “I know how to do it.”

Energy and Farmland

Candidates were asked about leasing farmland for solar and wind projects.

Russell supported selective development.

“I don’t believe in wind turbines,” she said. “Solar farms and server farms can create jobs.”

Rouse defended property rights.

“A bureaucrat in Washington doesn’t need to tell a farmer what to do,” he said.

Buckhout criticized federal subsidies.

“The Green New Deal is a scam,” she said. “People can do what they want with their land.”

Hanig discussed local regulation.

“We put a moratorium on solar farms,” he said. “We monitor soils to protect future farmland.”

Buck warned against subsidies.

“Taxpayer dollars shouldn’t fund these projects,” he said. “Property owners have rights, but they need to be careful.”

Social Security

With projected cuts looming in 2033, candidates agreed Social Security must be protected.

Rouse said, “We absolutely have to keep the promise.”

Buckhout added, “It needs to be saved. We have a spending problem, not a revenue problem.”

Hanig said he would never allow cuts. “There are ways to fund it,” he said.

Buck stressed protecting vulnerable citizens. “Who’s going to take care of those folks?” he asked.

Russell called the issue moral. “We will keep the promise,” she said.

First Priorities

Asked about their first actions if elected, Buckhout pledged loyalty to Trump’s agenda.

“It’s about taking care of families, farmers, fishermen, and working people,” she said.

Hanig emphasized veterans’ care.

“Veterans’ access to healthcare is my first priority,” he said.

Buck focused on constituent service.

“I want people to call a 252 number, not a 202 number,” he said.

Russell highlighted faith.

“My platform is faith, family, and freedom,” she said. “I plan to add God back into Congress.”

Rouse emphasized affordability.

“We have to make America more affordable again,” he said.

Lightning Round and Closing Statements

In a lightning round, all five candidates named the Department of Education as an agency they would reduce or eliminate.

During closing statements, Russell reiterated her outsider status.

“I am a proud product of the American dream,” she said. “I’m your girl.”

Rouse warned about the general election.

“Don Davis will vote to impeach Trump,” he said. “That ruins everything.”

Buckhout portrayed herself as a fighter.

“I’m a warrior. I’m combat-tested,” she said. “I’m your fighter.”

Hanig highlighted his record.

“I’ve lowered taxes and passed legislation,” he said. “I’m a proven fighter.”

Buck criticized campaign fundraising disparities.

“You’ll see about two million dollars raised and only eighteen hundred from this district,” he said. “Donald Trump has never endorsed Laurie Buckhout.”