Tim Wilkes, veteran, (R)(NC-7thCD) going up against Representative McIntyre

Third Republican announces run for McIntyre’s House seat

Published: Friday, January 29, 2010 at 11:24 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, January 29, 2010 at 11:24 a.m.
The Republican field for the area’s Congressional seat grew Friday with the announcement of a third GOP candidate.

Brunswick County resident Tim Wilkes joined the race for the chance to take on U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre, a Democrat who has represented North Carolina’s 7th Congressional District since 1997.

Wilkes, 40, lives in Supply and works as a warehouse coordinator for Pike Electric.

Like the other two Republican candidates who have announced so far in the race, Wilkes has a military background.

He served for about 11 years in the Army, including time in Desert Storm.

Wilkes will face Will Breazeale, a commercial airline pilot and Army reservist, and Ilario Pantano, a former Marine.

“I have a pretty good pulse on the average person who’s out there every day just because I’m the average person,” Wilkes said.

Wilkes said he planned to campaign about improving jobs and education in the district.

He also said he was in favor of placing a proposed veterans’ health clinic at Brunswick Community Hospital, which will become vacant once Novant’s replacement facility opens next year.

Plans now are to build the new superclinic somewhere in Wilmington.

Wilkes said it made more sense to use the existing building.

“If you’re looking at the (federal) budget, we have people who are spending money like we have all kinds in the bank,” he said. “If you have the facilities available, then use them.”

The filing deadline for the primaries is Feb. 26. The primary election is set for May 4, with Election Day on Nov. 2.