
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 21, 2008
State Auditor Leslie Merritt announces Co-Chairs of Democrats for Merritt
Press Contact: Frank Williams
919-833-4345
frank@lesmerritt.com
ZEBULON, N.C. – State Auditor Leslie Merritt, a Republican who is seeking re-election in November, announced today that the following North Carolina Democrats have crossed party lines and joined his team as Co-Chairs of Democrats for Merritt:
* Wesley Williams, Raleigh, N.C.
* David Bradley, CPA, Nashville, N.C.
* Perry Safran, Raleigh, N.C.
* Davis Milligan, CPA, Shallotte, N.C.
* Gerry Kennedy, Zebulon, N.C.
* Michelle Rich Goode, Raleigh, N.C.
* Andy Gay, Zebulon, N.C.
* Jane Fowler, Zebulon, N.C.
“I am grateful to these and many other Democrats who have crossed party lines and endorsed my candidacy for re-election,” says Merritt. “All North Carolinians, regardless of their party affiliation or their candidate preference in other races, want to know that state government is spending their tax dollars wisely. That’s why I have worked hard to shake up state government and hold the politicians accountable. We have exposed countless examples of fraud, waste and abuse in state government. We have spoken out against the irresponsible budgeting practices in state government. We have called for stronger internal auditing controls in state agencies. We’ve accomplished a lot in four short years, but there is still much more to be done. I am grateful to have the support of these and many other Democrats as we continue our efforts to reform state government.”
Auditor Merritt demonstrated broad-based, bipartisan statewide support while raising qualifying funds under the Voter-Owned Elections Act pilot which applies to his 2008 campaign. During that effort Auditor Merritt received contributions from all 100 counties, with 14% of those contributions coming from registered Democrats.
State Auditor Leslie Merritt, The Taxpayers’ Watchdog, was elected in 2004 when he defeated a three-term incumbent. He is the first Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to serve as North Carolina’s State Auditor. Merritt, a native and lifelong resident of North Carolina, was raised on a farm in rural Sampson County between Clinton and Magnolia. He earned degrees in both Economics and Accounting from North Carolina State University. Prior to being elected State Auditor, Leslie Merritt owned and operated a small business for over twenty years and has been a CPA for 27 years. He was elected to the Wake County Board of Commissioners in 1994. During his time as a County Commissioner he developed a reputation as a voice of fiscal responsibility, fighting to set priorities and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of county government. Leslie Merritt served as president of the Zebulon Elementary School PTA, the Zebulon Rotary Club and the Zebulon Lions Club. He has also served as a director with the Zebulon Chamber of Commerce. Leslie Merritt and his wife of 31 years, Cheryl, are members of Zebulon Baptist Church. They have two adult children. For more information, visit www.auditormerritt.com.
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