TODAY IS THE DAY, PLEASE VOTE FOR MICHAEL LEE

Yes, today is Primary Election Day. It has been a long tough campaign. A lot of people have worked a lot of hours and spent a lot of time stuffing envelopes, making phone calls and knocking on doors.

To all of you who have supported my campaign, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. It has meant so much to Heidi and me for so many people to get involved with this campaign.

I have tried to stick to the issues and let voters know how I would serve them in Raleigh. Many times it became necessary to point out the differences between my opponent and me. But in the end, the newspaper editorial board and the business community found it to be in the best interest of New Hanover County to support my candidacy. I am grateful to them for understanding my positions on the issues and the values I will bring to the job.

Please do one more thing – even if it is in the rain – please go to the polls today and vote for me for the North Carolina Senate. And then ask at least one more Republican or Unaffiliated voter to go to the polls and cast their vote for Michael Lee for NC Senate.

Thank you again for all your support.

Michael Lee

MICHAEL LEE ENDORSEMENTS ** VOTE TUESDAY **

Tomorrow is Primary Election Day. Please go to the polls and exercise your right to VOTE. As for my campaign, I ask you to think honestly about who has the best chance of winning in November against the democrat opponent in this race. I have been endorsed by the Wilmington Star News as “a conservative through and through” and in the mold of Danny McComas and Carolyn Justice. I have been endorsed by the NC Chamber of Commerce, the NC Association of Homebuilders and the NC Medical Society. I also have the backing of the North Carolina Association of Realtors.

This type of support is critical to our chances of winning in November. A Republican cannot win without support from the business community and my opponent will not receive that support because he says he does not want it.

I apologize for all the emails I have been sending you and after tomorrow I promise to give it a rest. I was not able to put as much of my own money in the campaign as my opponent, but I did out raise him by over $100,000. The emails and other internet media have been a good tool for my campaign to save money and yet still get our message out to voters.

Thank you for all your support and please go VOTE tomorrow. The polls open at 6:30am and close at 7:30pm.

Goolsby Doesn’t Know What the Chamber of Commerce Is?

Please read this press release from my campaign about the American Legion Post 10 Debate last night.

Wilmington, NC. – Thom Goolsby told the audience at the American Legion Post 10 Debate last night that he went to Raleigh last month to a North Carolina Chamber of Commerce meeting but was unaware of what the group was all about.

In response to a question by the moderator, John Evans of WECT-TV, Goolsby was seeking to downplay the endorsement of the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce PAC which was given to Michael Lee.

Goolsby admitted going to Raleigh to the North Carolina Chamber meeting which featured representatives from several business and industry groups but says he didn’t know what the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce was. “I didn’t really even know what they were,” Goolsby said during the debate.

“I did not seek their endorsement, I do not want their endorsement, and I would not take their endorsement,” he further exclaimed.

Lee, on the other hand, seemed very proud of the backing he has received from the business community and was astonished that Goolsby would not know what the Chamber of Commerce was all about.

“Either Thom was not telling the truth when he said he did not know about the Chamber in an attempt to diffuse this major endorsement of me or he is divorced from reality when it comes to the business community.  The citizens of New Hanover County should be very concerned that a NC Senate candidate is or claims to be so oblivious to the business community that he does not know about the NC Chamber,” Lee said after the debate.

Tonight the candidates will square off again in their final scheduled debate. This forum will be at the Northside Baptist Church at 7pm and is sponsored by Americans for Prosperity. It is open to the public.

To see highlights of all the debates, go to www.iwantthatsenateseat.com.

Top Ten Reasons to SUPPORT Michael Lee: Business Leaders Endorse Him

Dear Concerned Citizens,

We have all heard the jibs and jabs by both Thom Goolsby and Michael Lee during the course of the primary campaign. These back and forth exchanges have been somewhat informative but also confusing. It is time to talk about the real issues at stake in this election – jobs, the economy and the out-of-control spending practices of the Democrats in control of Raleigh. This is why Michael is working so hard to be your next State Senator.

Michael Lee is endorsed by the NC Chamber of Commerce PAC, the North Carolina Association of Homebuilders and the North Carolina Medical Society. He is also being backed by the North Carolina Association of Realtors.

Business leaders across the state realize that Michael Lee will help bring prosperity back to North Carolina.

Over the course of the next 5 days, you can educate yourself by following our website. We will give you the TOP TEN REASONS to Support Michael Lee. We plan to release #10 and #9 today. We will release the other 8 reasons – two a day until Friday.

Feel free to contribute to Michael’s campaign any time you feel it. We would appreciate any size contribution. Just click on the CONTRIBUTE button. If 100 of you contribute $25, we can purchase 1 week of radio on a two new stations this week.

In the meantime, we are also posting updates and highlights of the debates that both Thom Goolsby and Michael have been participating. If you would like to see them, go to www.iwantthatsenateseat.com.

Please take the time this week to help conservative leadership take back the North Carolina Senate.

We feel like the more you know about Michael Lee, the more you will understand the choice you have on May 4th.

Thank you and stay tuned to this website.

New Campaign Jib Jab Released

This morning my campaign released a new jib jab type video complete with cartoon characters of both myself and Thom Goolsby. The video, which can be seen at the web site www.iwantthatsenateseat.com, was produced in order to draw attention to the real debates in which we have been participating.

We had three debates last week and they were all pretty lively. We feel that if people will watch the debates they will get a good understanding of the differences between Thom and me. My campaign released the first jib jab type video in March, which poked fun at Goolsby’s claim of not being a politician. I wanted to do this video to show that I can also poke fun at myself and the purpose of this format is to get the voters’ attention.

This web site, www.iwantthatsenateseat.com, also has uploaded highlights from last weeks debates at the County Courthouse (sponsored by the 7th District GOP,) WHQR and Big Talker radio stations.

There are two more debates scheduled for this week. The first is Wednesday, April 28th at 6:30pm at the American Legion Building on Pine Grove Road. The final debate is Thursday, April 29th at 7pm at Northside Baptist Church on North College Road. That debate is being sponsored by Americans for Prosperity.

Both videos as well as documentation for all the facts stated by my campaign can be also found on www.iwantthatsenateseat.com.

Star-News Endorses Lee for NC Senate

Today, my campaign gained the endorsement of the Star-News. I have included the press release from my campaign below with more details on this endoresment. To read the full editorial published in today’s paper go to the following link:  http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/opinion.

Wilmington, NC. – The Wilmington Star-News endorsed Michael Lee for North Carolina Senate today. The endorsement, which is made by the publisher and editorial page editor of the newspaper, cited Michael’s “passion for education” and “potential to be of the same fabric as very Republican but also independent minded Reps. Danny McComas and Carolyn Justice, both of whom have put the Cape Fear region ahead of petty partisanship.”

The editorial called Mr. Lee “a conservative through and through” and that his “positions are in line with the vast majority of the party’s (Republican) agenda.” But it also pointed out that “Lee has also demonstrated a willingness to consider ideas that don’t necessarily move in lock step with the GOP leadership.”

“I am very pleased that the editorial board recognizes the type of State Senator I will be when elected this fall.” Mr. Lee said from his office this morning. “I am working very hard to get that message of conservative values and independent thinking out to the voters in this last full week of campaigning.”

With the endorsements last week from the North Carolina Chamber PAC, the North Carolina Association of Homebuilders, the North Carolina Medical Society and the backing of the North Carolina Association of Realtors, there has been a surge of fresh support for Michael Lee’s campaign. “Now with this very strong endorsement from the Wilmington Star-News, we feel that the momentum is on our side,” according to Lee.

Endorsements Pile Up for Lee

Please take a look at the latest press release from my campaign:

Wilmington, NC. – The North Carolina Chamber of Commerce PAC is the latest statewide business organization to endorse Michael Lee for North Carolina Senate according to Nancy Benford, Campaign Manager for the Lee campaign.

This endorsement follows on the heels of recent endorsements from the North Carolina Association of Homebuilders and the North Carolina Medical Society. Additionally, the North Carolina Association of Realtors provided funding for the campaign.

“I am pleased that my pro-job growth positions on the issues facing our economy have received the support and recognition worthy of these endorsements. It is critical that our next State Senator be a friend of the business community,” Lee said from his office this morning.

“I have been told that it is unusual for a non-incumbent to receive these endorsements in a primary. There has to be a clear distinction and these business organizations must feel that distinction is there between my opponent and me,” Lee further commented.

The Lee campaign is confident that this strong support from the business community will encourage many undecided voters to support Michael in the Republican primary being held on May 4th.

Transparency and Honesty

Good afternoon.  Today, the Star News published a good article about a recent debate.  However, I would like to clarify one point.  None of the lawyers in our Wilmington office offer legislative and lobbying services.  However, these services may be provided from time to time out of our Raleigh office.  This is not something I have denied at any point.   I am a part of a law firm with 180 lawyers in 3 states and our lawyers practice in all areas of the law.  While this is not an issue in the campaign, I always strive to make sure the truth is known.  In fact, I even provided our law firm website in the debate last night and encouraged people to look at it.  Transparency is very important to me and I encourage you to go to my law firm’s website if you are interested – www.smithmoorelaw.com.

An Appeal from Heidi

Dear Fellow Republican:

As we get down to the final days of the primary campaign for NC Senate, there are a few things I want you know about my husband Michael Lee.

From a personal perspective, Michael is an amazing father and husband.  While we decided to run for NC Senate again after much thought and consideration, I can honestly say there was no doubt in my mind that he needed to run.  Michael is a kind husband and wonderful father to our four children, Miles (9), Sydney (8), Sammy (6) and Sawyer (3).  Of all the things I know and love about Michael, it is his devotion to his family that makes me the proudest.

Professionally, Michael is incredibly well respected.  As the managing partner for the Wilmington office of his law firm, he faces many of the same issues as most small business owners have – keeping good employees, meeting budgets and inspiring production.  He possesses an uncanny ability to bring people together and lead them.  Most of all, you should know Michael is a man of honesty and integrity.  If you ask anyone who knows him, they will tell you the same thing.

As you know, he is running again for the State Senate seat that he almost won in 2008 against Julia Boseman.  This is why I am writing to you today.

Unlike 2008, Michael is in a tough primary fight against another local attorney, Thom Goolsby.  Many people know Thom’s name because he has advertised his law practice on local radio and television shows for over 15 years.  As such, most polls show Thom ahead of Michael simply because people are familiar with his name.  However, we are making great gains because people are starting to get to know the real Thom Goolsby.

Thom recently started negative TV and radio ads against Michael for contributing $100 to Bill Saffo, who is a democrat, but was running in a non-partisan race for Mayor.  At the time of that contribution no Republican was running against Mayor Saffo.  Thom himself gave $500 to a democrat running for Mayor in 1997.  We don’t consider any of this much of an issue, but Thom thinks it is.

However, political contributions to the NC Association of Trial Lawyers are an issue since this group has a long history of contributing to liberal democrats.  Thom made a contribution of $80 in 2007 to this very liberal group.  Their number one issue is opposing tort reform.  The American Trial Lawyers Association, NC Association of Trial Lawyers PAC is affiliated, gave over 95% of their money to liberal democrats in 2008.

Thom’s negative attack ads have also focused on Michael’s law firm – which has over 180 lawyers in three states.  Some of those 180 lawyers may represent clients in the legislative and administrative process in their respective states.  I really do not know for sure, but no one in the Wilmington office does and certainly not Michael.  Again, we don’t think it is much of an issue, but Thom thinks it is.

If a candidate’s law practice is an issue, Thom has a long history of defending drug dealers and sex offenders.  He even solicits these types of clients on his website.  In fact, just a few months ago – he outlined the various child pornography crimes to potential clients.  When he is not fighting for these criminals, he is suing doctors, the hospital, small businesses, UNCW, and even the Wilmington Police Department.

I know, none of us like the so-called negative attacks in an election. It can be argued that we started it by showing that Thom’s claim not to be a politician was untrue.  We also questioned his claim to support tort reform after a very public 16 year record of opposing it.  As you know, tort reform would cap excessive jury awards that ultimately cost all of us as consumers while lining the pockets of trial lawyers like Thom Goolsby and John Edwards.

If you recall the beginning of this letter where wrote about Michael’s honesty and integrity, you will see that every claim we have made against Thom Goolsby is absolutely true.  In fact, we have posted all the back up documentation on a web site called www.iwantthatsenateseat.com.

Michael is working so hard to finish what he began in 2008 against Julia Boseman.  As a member of a new republican majority that is a real possibility this election year, Michael will fight to reduce the tax burden on working families and small businesses across the state.  He will support efforts to change the way we educate our children, putting them first and the education bureaucrats at the end of the line.

Michael can win in November, but must first win on May 4^th.  This primary has been hard on him.  He doesn’t like running against republicans.  He looks forward to running against the democrats in the fall.

Please support Michael by voting for Michael Lee for North Carolina Senate on May 4^th.   Remember also that early voting has already begun.

God bless you,

Heidi Lee

First Debate Held in Senate Race

Please read this statement released today about last night’s debate between myself and Thom Goolsby:

Wilmington, NC. – Michael Lee set the stage in last night’s debate with Thom Goolsby in his opening statement. “We are going to talk about the issues tonight – one of which is character,” Lee told the audience of over 100 people.

“I have been taking some heat for my campaign ads. The criticism comes with the territory. Whenever you stand up for what you believe in and fight for the truth, there will always be people who do not want to hear it – even when it is true.”

“I promise that I will shine the light on the half truths, lies and deception at every turn in this campaign, in the campaign against Jim Leutze and in Raleigh when elected.”

The debate, which was sponsored by the 7th District Republican Party Executive Committee, was held at the Old Courthouse in Wilmington.

Thom Goolsby mislead the audience when he was asked how many times he had previously run for elective office. His answer included his 2004 primary loss for North Carolina Attorney General and the current run for state senate. He omitted his 2008 run for NC House, a race that Goolsby dropped out of after the primary.

At one point during the debate Michael Lee suggested that he and Goolsby agreed on many issues, especially when it comes to taxes and spending by the democrats in Raleigh. However, Lee challenged Mr. Goolsby when it came to tort reform.

Goolsby has recently changed his position on tort reform after 15 years of publicly opposing it. Goolsby is a trial lawyer and has sued doctors, insurance companies, hospitals and small business as a part of his law practice for over 16 years.

Another issue that is emerging is jobs. Michael Lee, who recently received the endorsement of the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce, has taken a pro-jobs stance on the issue of incentives. He also supports the super port being studied for Brunswick County. Both of these positions were contrary to Goolsby’s repeated responses of not supporting business interests on these issues.

There are 4 more scheduled debates between the senate candidates.