Congressman Walter Jones (R-N.C.) one of the most prominent and vocal voices for East Coast fisheries in Congress, has defeated his primary challenger, Taylor Griffin, 53 percent to 44 percent in a race that has been called by the Associated Press by with 71 percent of precincts reporting.
WASHINGTON (Saving Seafood) May 6, 2014 — Mr. Jones, 71, is an anti-war Republican who has often bucked conservative Republicans. His disctict covers the Outer Banks of North Carolina including the fishing stronghold of Wanchese. His failed opponent, Mr. Griffin, is a former Bush Administration staffer who worked for the late North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms. In 1997, Senator Helms used his position as Foreign Relations Committee Chairman to block the ambassadorial nomination of Massachusetts' Governor Bill Weld. In 1995, Gov. Weld asked the White House to declare the Massachusetts fishing industry a natural disaster, and to authorize Federal aid. Senator Helms objected to Gov. Weld's tolerant views on social issues such as medicinal marijuana and gay rights.
Early in his campaign, Mr. Griffin attempted to bolster his ties to Mr. Jones' coastal pro-fishing constituency while emphasizing cultural conservatism stating "I was born in Raleigh and raised in Eastern North Carolina. It was here I learned to run a boat before I could drive a car. It was here I learned to troll for Spanish Mackerel off Shackleford Banks. It was here that my granddad gave me my first real gun and taught me how to shoot. But most importantly, I was raised here in Eastern North Carolina to love my faith, my family, my state and my country. And it was here I learned the conservative principles and values that made this nation great. …"
Mr. Jones has been a longtime supporter of fisheries issues. He joined forces with former Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank to oppose overzealous actions by NOAA Fisheries law enforcement and to question the imposition of catch share programs in East Coast fisheries. It was through the direct involvement of Mr. Jones that the most egregious wrongdoing by NOAA law enforcement – eventually corroborated by an investigation by the Department of Commerce Inspector General and a cabinet-level appointed Special Master – was brought to the attention of national television network news.
Mr. Griffin received a number of endorsements and assistance from conservative PACs, former Bush administration officials, former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, and various Tea Party groups.