Three candidates vying to replace McIntyre in Congress

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — It’s the first time the job has been open since 1997, and three men are vying for the position Rep. Mike McIntyre leaves behind.

The three-way fight is between Republican David Rouzer, Democrat Jonathan Barfield and Libertarian Wesley Casteen. Whoever wins the election will replace McIntyre, who decided to retire when this term ends.

For Rouzer, he says we need to get back to God and common sense.

“We’ve got to get back to the moral and spiritual principles that made this country great, and I think we’ve got to get back to a much more limited government, a government that works for us and not against us,” Rouzer said.

Limited government is something he and Casteen can agree on.

“The idea is to support and foster the individual liberties of the citizens, of the individual, and to have government not intrusive, have limited regulations, have a government that does not impose itself upon the citizens,” Casteen said.

Barfield said his time as a New Hanover County Commissioner prepares him for this position in Congress.

“We’re focused on three things: jobs and economic development, public education and our veterans,” Barfield said. “It is so important we have a Congressman that knows how to create jobs. That’s something I’ve done here as a New Hanover County Commissioner.”

In the financial side of this race, it’s been mostly a Rouzer campaign. According to campaign finance reports, Rouzer’s campaign has raised more than $1.3 million. His challengers have raised a combined amount of just over $72,000.

Early voting starts Thursday.