By M.H. Cavanaugh
Christian Action League
November 25, 2014
ASHEBORO – Saturday of last week NC House Republicans met in Asheboro and selected Rep. Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) to serve as the next Speaker of the House. Moore won the nomination on the first ballot, taking 37 votes of the 73 members present. Moore was one of six hopefuls for the position (Leo Daughtry, of Smithfield, John Blust, of Greensboro, Justin Burr, of Albemarle, Bryan Holloway, of King, and Mitchell Setzer, of Catawba).
The official vote for Speaker does not occur until the Legislature reconvenes in January. Nevertheless, because Republicans outnumber Democrats in the chamber 74-46, Moore’s election is certain as long as Republicans remain united on the matter.
Moore, 44, grew up in the small town of Kings Mountain in Cleveland County. He attended Campbell University before transferring to UNC, Chapel Hill, where he graduated. He received his Juris Doctor law degree from Oklahoma City University.
Moore has served six consecutive terms in the State House, first being elected in 2002, defeating Democrat, Andy Dedmon. His influence would significantly rise after Thom Tillis was elected Speaker. Moore was a lieutenant of Speaker Tillis and served as Chairman to the powerful House Rules Committee.
Moore told the news media that he differs in leadership style to Tillis. Tillis came from a corporate background, but Moore said he was an attorney with small business experience.
As Rules Chairman, Moore was instrumental in killing proposed legislation for the legalization of Medical Marijuana in 2013. As Chairman he was hesitant to allow the legislation to receive a hearing in committee. However, after being hounded and harassed by proponents, Moore allowed the measure to be heard, knowing the outcome would be a motion for an unfavorable report – a procedural move ensuring the bill would not come up again for the remainder of the session.
Moore has been a strong advocate for making children and families safer. He was the primary sponsor of the Jessica Lunsford Law – a bill that increased punishment for sex offenders and imposed monitoring and other restrictions on child predators.
The new House Speaker Designee also works for an investor who wants to bring a proposed Catawba Indian Casino to Cleveland County. More than 100 members of the N.C. House have signed a letter to the U.S. Interior Secretary, asking that the South Carolina tribe not be allowed to open a gambling facility in the Tar Heel state. Governor Pat McCrory has also expressed his own objections.
Although Moore disagrees with his colleagues about the casino, he told House members last year of his conflict and withdrew from any legislative discussion on the issue. Moore told the media on Saturday he was handling some real estate issues related to the project, but if anything were to arise where the state would be acting, he would recuse himself.
Other leadership selected by the Republicans on Saturday included:
Rep, Mike Hagar of Rutherfordton as House Majority Leader, Rep. Paul Stam of Apex, as Speaker Pro-Tem, Rep. John Bell of Goldsboro, as majority whip, Rep. Marilyn Avila of Raleigh, as deputy majority leader, Rep. Charles Jeter of Huntersville, as majority conference chairman, and Rep. Pat Hurley of Asheboro as joint caucus leader.
In a related matter, on Friday of last week, House Democrats re-elected Rep. Larry Hall of Durham to a second term as their minority leader. According to the Raleigh News and Observer, Democrats are planning a summit in December to talk strategy and agenda for the upcoming legislative session.
“As we are moving toward the next legislative biennium, 2015-2016, we are seeing the legislative leadership develop. We congratulate all of them. Let’s commit to begin praying for these folks,” said Dr. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League.
“Let us remember the apostle Paul’s great admonition, ‘First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth’ (I Timothy 2:1-4), added Dr. Creech.