Big names, Big money lining up behind Garland Tucker
The GOP challenger to Thom Tillis has a fundraiser coming up in Raleigh on June 5. Tickets run from $125 to $5600. Take a look at some of the names hosting the gig. A lot of these people you might have expected to host a shindig for Thom:
That’s an awful lot of political / social pull on that list. Let’s highlight a few names, shall we?
Let’s start with the chairmen. Lee Roberts followed Art Pope as Pat McCrory’s budget director. Bob Luddy is a successful, politically-active businessman with TONS of money to bestow upon folks. Steve Zelnak was the long-time CEO of Martin-Marietta Materials. Cliff Benson is the former owner of Carolina Builders, a major donor to Wake Forest University, and a frequent host for presidential fundraisers held in North Carolina.
Ann Farr is related to THE Tom Farr whose federal judgeship nomination crashed and burned in the US Senate. Joe Knott is Justice Paul Newby’s brother-in-law, a former candidate for attorney general, and a successful Raleigh attorney. And then there’s BOB RUCHO. (I can remember then-senator Bob Rucho following Tillis around all buddied-up while both were serving on Jones Street. )
Now, let’s go to Hosts. Arch Allen is a prominent, now-retired attorney. Gary Pendleton served in the state House. Senator John Alexander is the last Republican legislator left standing in Wake County following the November 2018 wipeout.
And now, sponsors. Neal Hunt is a former state senator who represented Wake County and was a pretty good conservative.
Honestly, that is pretty impressive.
Tillis and McConnell aren’t roadkill but I do believe they’re in very deep trouble. Tillis may get his boy Whatley as State Chairman, but I don’t know that it’s going to help him much, given that a lot of local leaders can’t stand Tillis.
Honestly, other than his regular followers from my 1000 Facebook friends and local Mecklenburg / Iredell friends I have ‘never’ heard anyone say they liked him.