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Wednesday, November 07, 2012 3:40 AM Martin defeats Bibbs for District 8 seat By Janet Conner-Knox | Times Staff Writer Political newcomer Susan Martin is the new representative for the District 8 State House seat. She defeated Democrat Mark Bibbs, a Wilson attorney. The newly drawn district, which consists of Pitt and Wilson counties, gave Martin 22,579 votes to Bibbs’ 16,996. "I am honored for the trust and it will be a privilege to serve,” Martin said at a Wilson County Republican Party event at Quince. "I won’t let you down.” Martin said she is ready to work. "There’s been a lot of talking and talking about what should happen in the state,” Martin said. "I am tired of talking. It’s time to work now.” Martin would not say what the first thing she will do as a state legislator will be but did say her first duty right now was to tend to her daughter who was just released from the hospital. The battle between Martin and Bibbs got heated during the year they ran against each other. Bibbs accused Republicans of not sticking to the issues, but using a negative campaign to sway voters. Bibbs asked Martin to debate him publicly on the issues, but that debate never took place. Mailers went out to Wilson residents talking about Bibbs’ past DWIs and then another cited tax issues, which Bibbs denied. Bibbs, who never denied the DWIs, said that was a past issue and he received his family and friends’ forgiveness. Bibbs said his taxes were paid and called on Martin to publicly denounce the ads. Bibbs called Martin close to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night to congratulate her on the win in the House race. "Mark Bibbs just called me to congratulate me for winning the race, and he wished me well and I wish all the best for him and his family as well,” Martin said. Bibbs was quiet Tuesday. He and a roomful of supporters watched the returns from a room at the Wilson Country Club. He declined to comment at that time and earlier in the day as well. Bibbs’ phone messages were full and he did not answer text messages on Tuesday night. Gary Proffitt, chairman of the Wilson County Republican Party, said it has been a tough race, but a worthy one. "I’m so proud of our local candidates, Susan Martin and Buck Newton,” Proffitt said. "I am somewhat disappointed in the results for Wilson County. My goal from day one was for Wilson to carry the popular vote.” Proffitt said they have been out shaking hands and talking to people for a year now in hopes that Martin would win the newly drawn seat. "I thought it was going to be closer than it was,” Proffitt said. "I’m glad Susan has already been declared the winner. I appreciate Mark for his hard work, but I’m very, very proud of Susan Martin and her family.” Proffitt said when a candidate decides to run, it takes dedication from the whole family. "That candidates make many, many sacrifices for that family,” Proffitt said. "And I appreciate and support the spouses and their families in supporting the candidates.” janet@wilsontimes.com | 265-7847  |
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Awesome! said...
Congrats Susan!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 11:54 PM
@@retired teacher said...Congrats Susan!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 11:54 PM
Now that's a backwards idea..send folks back to where ever they came from when they suggest ways to improve teacher morale, make North Carolina more competitive in recruiting/retaining highly qualified teachers, etc.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 9:42 PM
why dont you go back to maryland if it was so great up there and you dont like our state and our state politics? and dont let the door hit you
Monday, November 12, 2012 at 11:40 PM
Democrats are all about protoecting teacher pay and benefits? Not in North Carolina. Republicans are even worse. Why not pay teachers more when they're pulling money from their own pockets to fund our classrooms? Why not have the decency to give teachers PAID personal business leave (2 days/year; cumulative to 5 days)? I taught in Maryland 45 years ago and teachers had 2 days PAID personal business leave, cumulative to 5. NC is too cheap and doesn't appreciate its teachers. When I had to attend an out-of-state funeral for a family member, I forfeited 2 days of full pay when teaching in NC. Yet I gave thousands of dollars over my teaching career to fund my classroom and make sure every child had a quality education. After teaching 15 years in North Carolina, my low salary qualified me for a government subsidy when I bought my first home. Did I mention I had a Master's degree? IMHO, North Carolina has always treated its teachers as if they're babysitters. You pay for what you get. Susan Martin wants "merit pay". Anyone willing to teach in North Carolina should qualify for merit pay.
Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 10:46 PM
I am all for the vouchers. I am already sending my child to a private school. I don't trust Wilson County Schools. The public schools are not safe here. With a voucher system. The private schools will be able to complete with the state pay for teachers. You will start to see the good teachers in the private schools and the sorry ones in the sorry public schools. It works like this in the workforce as well. The real people that are successful work in private industry. The ones that just need a paycheck work for the government. All these intercity schools will just get worse and worse. It doesn't bother me because my child will always be in a private school.
Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 10:19 PM
