When devastating hurricane floods struck his hometown in 2004, Mayor Pat Smathers had two options: Rebuild or build better.

Smathers, a problem solving Democrat, chose the latter, partnering with fellow community leaders and state government to strengthen the mountain town his family has called home for eight generations.

As mayor, school board attorney and former champion high school and college athlete, Smathers has learned what small towns expect of their leaders: A dedication to success. A willingness to work hard. And the resourcefulness to create solutions that work for everyone.

"It's time to fulfill those expectations at the state level,â? says Smathers, a husband, father of two and retired lieutenant colonel in the National Guard. âNorth Carolinians deserve a leader who will meet our state"s challenges with openness, optimism and invested innovations. As lieutenant governor, I will honor those hometown values we all share.â?

Colonel Dennis Nielsen is a retired military officer with 35 years of dedicated service in the United States Air Force. During his committed time of military service he flew a variety of military aircraft including the T-38, F-100, A7, F16 and C26. He was well known throughout the military for his outstanding leadership capabilities and was selected as the Director of Safety for the Air National Guard.

While serving as the Director of Safety at ANG Headquarters in Washington DC he had the responsibility of the flight weapons and ground safety for more than 120,000 military personnel in over 200 locations. His last military assignment before retirement was flying a C-26 surveillance aircraft for the counter drug agency.

During Colonel Nielsenâs service in the military he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after diverting his A-7 fighter jet during a test flight away from a populated area after engine failure, potentially saving hundreds of lives while risking his own. This award is given only to those who distinguish themselves by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight and is given only to exceptional and outstanding individuals.

He was also honored in a memorial statue after his image was captured by a photographer during his rescue of a small child after the crash of flight 232 in Sioux City, Iowa. Additionally, the story of his bravery and leadership was later depicted in a docudrama Crash Landing: The Rescue of Flight 232, 1992.

Colonel Nielsen graduated form the University of Nebraska with a degree in Law Enforcement. He has accomplished graduate studies with in an assortment of subjects including International Studies. He has a number of published articles including; âZeroâs Not a Number but a New Way of Thinkingâ?, âVirtual Safetyâ? and âVision the Ability to See.â?

Col. Nielsen is also an experienced businessman who has operated several small businesses and served on the Board of Directors for others. He and his family also owned and operated a family farm. He was elected to the board of directors of a credit union and served as a member of the Sioux Gateway Airport Disaster Board. His wife, Linda Nielsen, has also owned and operated a fitness center.

Colonel Nielsen has also served a variety of community organizations and nonprofit groups. Presently he serves as the vice president and member of the board of directors of the Air Force Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes Air Force History. He is the chairman of the board of directors for a non-profit organization that provides financial counseling and tax preparation to low and moderate income individuals and seniors. Col. Nielsen has worked as a volunteer for various community organizations such as the YMCA coaching both youth soccer and basketball. He has also supported various companion animal rescue organizations with their efforts. Col. Nielsen is currently active in veteranâs affairs and maintains a web site to assist veterans and current military members. He is also a former member of Civil Air Patrol, a volunteer search and rescue organization that mentors young people interested in careers in the aviation.

Following law school, Jim returned to Lexington to practice with his father.  His father passed away, and Jim was appointed to serve his unexpired term as a member of The North Carolina House of Representatives. 

He has been a practitioner in law in Lexington for in excess of 37 years and has been admitted to practice before various Federal Courts in North Carolina and The Supreme Court of the United States.  He was named as one of the five outstanding young leaders in North Carolina by the North Carolina Jaycees and has been a local business leader with Chairmanship of the Board of Managers of Security Bank and Trust/Omni/Central Carolina Bank in Lexington.

In addition to his service in the General Assembly, Jim has taken many opportunities to help build a better community in Lexington and Davidson County.  He served on the Board of Trustees of the Davidson County Community College (1973 to 1981); the Board of Visitors of Wake Forest University Divinity School, The Select Committee of the North Carolina Board of Law Examiners; Lexington Rotary Club, member; Board of Directors United Way, member; Board of Directors at Lexington YMCA; member, and City of Lexington, Human Races Committee, member.

Jim is a conservative thinker and writer who has published sixteen books, three are multiple additions, including the Conservative Mind, âA New Model for Governmentâ? and two legal treaties.  

Jim is married to his high school sweetheart, Miss Sandra Joyce Craver, of Lexington, and they have been blessed with two daughters and six grandchildren.  He has been a member of the First Baptist Church in Lexington for his entire life and has served as a deacon and moderator of the Board of Deacons. 

Jim finished second to now Senator Elizabeth Dole in the 2002 North Carolina Republican Primary for U.S. Senate and was the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor in the 2004 North Carolina General Election receiving in excess of 1.4 million votes. 

Born, July 2, 1951 raised and worked on the farm in Robeson county, NC. Share cropping. Graduated from St.Pauls High School 1968.

 Becky who works as a school teacher in Macon county public schools. After her 33 years of teaching school, a very noble profession, today being her very last day of teaching. As of today Feb. 29^th 08' she retires (Leap year day, so she leaped out). To you Becky, Congratulations Honey, job well done. You have paid your dues well.

I currently own a small farm in eastern NC of Sampson county. In 1996 I discontinued row crop farming, cotton, wheat, soybeans switching over to a Pecan orchard consisting of just under 1000 pecan trees. Aerial view of farm in 06'. I produce, process and store all pecans on my farm directing selling to the consumer, restaurant's, bakery's etc. My building where I process all pecans is called "The Nut House, Inc". Yes I will be the first Governor straight from the Nut House.....

Why the run for Governor!!!

I feel current politicians are out of touch with the working class in NC and the United States. They continue to penalize working people for succeeding in life by way of more taxes, while they load our wagons, tell us to pull, many people jump on for the ride. If you, put me at the Governors desk for four years I will hands down out perform any other candidate regarding tax relief. I feel politicians come by each four years trying to tell us they are one of us. I also think the working people should have a safety net and am checking into this (your ideas welcomed). If an elected official does not stand behind their campaign platform, we taxpayers should have a way of replacing them at the half way mark of their term. I ask you, please help get the word out, just compare my plans, to ALL the other candidates.