Lt. Gov. Dan Forest Looks Back On 2017…And Forward To 2020?

RALEIGH – Lieutenant Governor is hardly a powerful position in North Carolina politics, but Dan Forest has squeezed a lot out of the largely ceremonial role to advance the cause of conservatism. Forest has been a voice for education reforms, free speech on college campuses, and worked closely with Republican legislative leaders to craft and pass conservative policies as President of the N.C. Senate.

It is a forgone conclusion that Forest will seek a promotion in 2020, campaigning to unseat the whiny Leftist that is Roy Cooper, and return the Old North State to full Republican control.

The beginnings of that campaign come in the form of highlighting the successes he has helped achieve in 2017, as he does in this op-ed published this week by North State Journal:

“Over the past year the legislature continued to build upon the great work they began in 2011, when Republicans gained control of the General Assembly for the first time in 140 years. The highlights include increasing teacher compensation for the fifth year in a row, continuing to lower the tax rate for all North Carolinians so that everyone has more money in their pockets, expanding school choice options for children with disabilities through our new Education Savings Accounts, and building up the rainy-day fund to nearly $2 billion.

These are amazing accomplishments stacked upon a previous strong track record. Yet for the purpose of this writing I wanted to highlight legislative accomplishments that were created through my office and became law with the help of the General Assembly.”

He is clearly making opening arguments in a case for a 2020 ‘Run, Forest, Run’ by pointing his specific influence in 2017. In so doing, he is sparking the imagination of conservatives that will extrapolate just how many good conservative accomplishments could be achieved in 2020 and beyond if voters accord him a well deserved promotion.

“[…] Another bill that I am proud of is the creation of First Responders Day, making Sept. 11 an official State Holiday. Throughout the year, on specific dates, we as a state and country honor our military, veterans and those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. We are thankful for all those that put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms that we cherish in our country. However, there are often-overlooked heroes in our communities who also risk their lives for our safety, security and well-being. Those are our first responders — our police officers, firefighters, EMT and state troopers. Each day these men and women suit up to protect and serve our communities throughout North Carolina. We felt it was time to set a day aside each year to honor these heroes. From here forward, Sept. 11 will be known as “First Responders Day.” This date will forever be remembered as a day in American history that showcased the resolve and heroism of first responders throughout our country.

I was also proud that my office could push through the “Restore/Preserve Campus Free Speech Act.” This law helps to restore and preserve free speech on our public university campuses. Pursuant to this law, the Board of Governors made a policy that shows our state’s commitment to intellectual and academic freedom. The job of government and our universities is not to shield individuals from speech they might find offensive, but to commit to the principles of free speech, including spontaneous demonstration and access to campus consistent with the First Amendment. The Board of Governors’ statutorily mandated policy also sets out disciplinary measures for students who interfere with the free speech rights of others. […]”

As mentioned before, the lieutenant governor position is weak and limited, so his resume of specific legislation is necessarily limited. That’s why his examples are not hard hitting, earth moving policies – that’s what the General Assembly is for.

But make no mistake, Dan Forest is a consummate conservative with the principles, intellect, and passion to kick Roy out of the mansion and show McCrory how a Republican governorship should be done.

It is worth noting that, despite obvious differences, Forest has an appealing attribute for voters that Donald Trump also offered – he doesn’t need this. He is not a career politician; he is a successful businessman.

Forest helped build one of the most successful architectural firms in the region, achieved a level of success that most people only dream about, and, at a young age, could have retired to play golf and take jaunts around the Caribbean.

Instead of leisure, he chose to utilize his affluence to run for office and affect conservative change. There is something endearing about a man that could be sipping margaritas on a beach somewhere, but cares too much about protecting the founding principles this country was founded upon to lay back and do nothing while Leftists work tirelessly to subvert them.

2020 cannot come soon enough.

Read the full op-ed here.