Former state senator from Hickory joins N.C. gubernatorial race

HICKORY, N.C. — A resident of Hickory and former state senator announced he is running for governor of North Carolina, our partners at the Hickory Daily Record reported.

Andy Wells currently serves as a member of the state transportation board. He has served one term in the N.C. House and three with the state Senate before resigning in 2020.

In 2020, Wells ran for lieutenant governor but was defeated by Mark Robinson.

Now, he is joining the Republican primary field, which includes Lt. Gov. Robinson, N.C. Treasurer Dale Folwell, and former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker.

In an interview with the Hickory Daily Record, Wells said he is concerned about government and personal debt as well as shortfalls in the pension and health care funds for state retirees.

“I’m active in the private sector,” Wells said. “I see what’s going on, and there are enough cracks that I’m seeing that I’m getting real concerned about our financial future and feel like I’m in a position to address that for North Carolina.”

The primary is scheduled for March 5, 2024.

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