Republican Frank Christopher Meares is throwing his hat into the race for New Hanover County Commissioner after an unsuccessful bid for a Wilmington City Council seat last year.
Meares told WHQR’s Sara Wood he prayed for guidance to decide whether to run again, and the Lord led him back to the campaign trail. He distinguishes himself from other candidates with a contract he’s drafted with the county.
Meares created the contract because he says his biggest priority is instilling integrity in public office. Some of the core points in the contract include maintaining a balanced budget and limiting his time in office to three consecutive terms.
“And I’m going to stand by it. And that’s the type of person I am. We don’t need more officials again saying, ‘oh I’m not going to do this, Oh I’m not going to do that.’ Just to get the vote.”
Meares cites a recent example of commissioners changing their vote for a family planning grant as an example of the lack of integrity.
“For those that didn’t change their vote, thank you. Because you stayed on what you initially chose to do. I’m not saying thank you for different reasons past that but the fact that they stood on what they said they’re going to do.”
Regarding the Titan Cement Plant, Meares says he doesn’t have all the information to make a judgment, but says it comes down to a much larger zoning issue. Born and raised in Wilmington, Meares says he’s been fighting for conservative values all of his life because he’s a Christian first, conservative second and a Republican last.
“I’m just a local boy who’s trying to fix the system that he’s grown up in and wants to see his son grow up in a much better place.”
Listen this week for WHQR’s full series on the candidates for New Hanover County Commissioner.