G. L. Pridgen is a Robeson County native. He graduated from Littlefield High School and attended classes at Robeson Community College . He started his career with Southern Bell Telephone Company and resided in Lumberton until he was drafted into the US Army. During his 2 years in the Army he served as a communication lineman, received the rank of Specialist-5 and did a one year tour of duty in Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

He returned to his job with Southern Bell which later became BellSouth Telecommunications, (now AT&T), where he worked until retirement. He started his own telecommunications company, CommCo, Inc in 1994 providing telephone systems, voicemail systems and data wiring to area businesses. In 2009 he began working in the IS Department at Southeastern Regional Medical Center . His wife Wendy now manages CommCo., Inc. He was elected the NC State Representative for District 46 in 2010. G.L. and Wendy have four children and six grandchildren. They attend Zion Hill Baptist Church .

Pictures below: Cu Chi, Vietnam (1967) and now.

The Bills mentioned below will be explained more in the section marked “BILLS.” I am running for the NC House of Representatives, District 46 because I want to offer our District true conservative leadership. I am asking you for your vote.

District 46, because of Redistricting will, in 2012, include all of Columbus County, parts of Robeson County (all or parts of Precincts: Wisharts, East Howellsville, Lumberton 1, Lumberton 8, Britts, Sterling and Orrum) and parts of Bladen County (all or parts of Precincts:Bladenboro 1 and Bladenboro 2) You can view the new District 46 map by clicking here. Please contact me at the above phone number or email, and let’s all work together to give our District leadership with new ideas and a new direction - the right direction.

I am a Conservative Republican and I believe it is time for conservative leadership. I believe conservatism is a must, not an option, for our elected officials. I was a democrat for many years and as more and more people are saying, “I didn’t leave the democrat party; it left me.”

The General Assembly must make Private Business job creation a top priority. We have to overhaul our existing tax system to reduce the tax burden (highest in the Southeast) on our working families and businesses. We need to visit all regulations to see if they are hurting new business and expansion of existing businesses. Some regulations are good but we are allowing ourselves to be regulated out of jobs.

I believe that solving our problems will take a common sense approach and, if re-elected, I will continue to welcome all ideas toward solving these problems. I believe all things are possible if we work together.

I love this country and want to see it prosper once again. I grew up on a farm in Lumberton and I am a business owner. I want to see an America that once again respects the working person. I want to see an America that respects our military and our flag. I served in the Army and I believe in a strong military and in giving our soldiers the support and respect they deserve.

I believe that every law abiding citizen has the right to own a gun to use in defense of his family, his home and himself. I support and voted for HB-650 that helps support the rights of everyone to defend their family and property.

I will work to create jobs and lower taxes. North Carolina has a multitude of resources such as minerals, farm land, tourism, a large work force and is also the most beautiful state in the USA . Jobs are created by attracting new industries and businesses, and helping existing ones to expand. We need new ideas because the old ones aren’t working, (see SB-709).

We need a smaller and less intrusive government. I am offering a conservative alternative to the way things are currently being done in Raleigh by holding down spending and stopping waste and corruption.

If you care about our counties, this state and this country then please get out and vote and vote for conservative candidates that share your moral beliefs and ones that believe you should be able to keep more of your own money. We can’t afford not to make a change.

Everyone knows you can’t spend your way out of debt except politicians (I helped pass the 2011-2012 budget with no tax increase even though we had a 2.5 billion dollar deficit.) When Politicians are in office too long they lose touch with the reality that we have to deal with everyday. I am a co-sponsor on a term limit bill (see HB-158) to allow only eight years in office. I believe in term limits but we don’t have to wait for a bill to be introduced for term limits. Just vote and tell them their term is up and “send them home.” I sponsored a bill, (see HB-315), to make every bond that is on the ballot show not only the amount of the bond but the approximate interest so the Taxpayer will know that a ten million dollar bond could obligate them for 15 to 20 million dollars by the time it’s paid off. I believe it’s only fair to the taxpayer since he is the one being obligated to repay this debt.

Please contact or email me personally with any ideas and/or to volunteer.

Support Your Conservative Values at the Polls. Thank you. God bless.

Contact Gaston by email at gastonpridgen@yahoo.com.

Paid for by the Committee To Elect G. L. Pridgen For NC House