Profile in Politics - Lance Sigmon

Family: Parents, Eddie and Boncella Sigmon of Conover; wife, Melissa S. Sigmon, married in 1985; children, Kirk, 19, Leah, 16.

Education: Newton-Conover High School, 1977, Western Carolina University, BSBA Magna Cum Laude, Accounting and Economics, 1985, Wake Forest University School of Law, JD, 1988

Occupation: Attorney, retired US Air Force Judge Advocate (Lt. Col), currently in private practice.

Elected positions held: none

Notable information:

Served in the U.S. Air Force (enlisted 1977-1981, honorably discharged, rejoined as officer in 1988, retired as Lieutenant Colonel in 2005)

Boy Scouts of America (numerous leadership positions)

Military Officers Association of America

National Rifle Association

American Legion

Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church in Newton (active in United Methodist Men's group, and currently serving on Finance Committee)

For more information: 828-464-2804 or go to www.sigmonforcongress.com, lance@sigmonforcongress.com

Why are you running? I want to restore real leadership in Washington. I understand the people who live in this District and the challenges we face. I am not a career politician only concerned with personal advancement at any cost. I can help the people of this District make a better life for themselves and our future generations. Our district has suffered devastating job losses, a shift in our economic base, and a change in demographics. We must tackle these changes now and develop ways to return to the thriving economy we once experienced.

What qualities make you the best candidate? I am a native of this District, and I know and respect the people who live here. I served our country for 21 years. During my Air Force service, I was a combat aircrew member, a legal counsel in various positions - finishing as a military judge. I know how to make tough decisions, to work with people from dissimilar backgrounds, and how to get the job done. I returned to this District after retirement because this is my home - not just to run for political office. Because of my experiences, I understand the value of hard work, service, and personal sacrifice.

What is the biggest issue facing the district? How would you do to address it? The economic welfare of our citizens is paramount. I will devote my energy to improving our infrastructure, making government more responsive, reducing the burden of the federal government, and making our district attractive to new industries. I will support and encourage appropriate educational and retraining opportunities to increase the flexibility of our workforce. I will work to fix the illegal immigration problem in order to provide opportunities for our own citizens first.

Where do you see the district in 10 years and how will you help the district get there? I see new types of industries taking root and the District growing by developing the services and structure to support these new industries. To that end, I will work with local business and civic leaders to keep abreast of the specific needs and characteristics of each county. With that knowledge, I will be able to promote the unique qualities and positive attributes of this area to business leaders worldwide seeking to open, expand or relocate.

What is you stance on illegal immigration? What steps would you take to address it? We must control who enters this country, we must enforce our laws by removing illegal immigrants, and we need to strengthen guest worker programs to support local industries such as our agriculture needs. Local and state law enforcement must have the authority and the means to detain and deport illegal immigrants. I will sponsor or support legislation which: 1) requires completion of the border fence, 2) provides immediate and strict sanctions against businesses who knowingly hire illegal workers, 3) provides easy access to Government records for businesses to quickly confirm the legal status of workers, and 4) removes funding from municipalities that provide sanctuary to known illegal aliens.

Gas prices continue to be a growing burden to Americans. What is your solution? There is no good “short-term” fix to this problem. We must reduce our dependence on foreign sources of oil. When a foreign entity controls the supply and price that we Americans pay at the pump, it not only threatens our financial stability, but our national security as well. We must find new domestic sources of oil and we must build new refineries to process the oil into gasoline. I also see hope in the research of alternative fuels, but I recognize that the immediate need is to focus on the current gas crisis while at the same time working towards reducing the need for and consumption of gasoline in the future.