Editorial Board
After a little over 3 years as a New Hanover County Commissioner, Republican Dane Scalise is running for NC House District 20.
During a period when New Hanover residents have struggled with skyrocketing prices, Scalise’s tenure as commissioner has been marked by public battles over hyper-partisan cultural issues, such as his controversial vote against New Hanover’s “National Day of Racial Healing,” as well as a social media rant over bus stop benches.
Scalise made local headlines for his opposition to New Hanover proclaiming a National Day of Racial Healing in January of last year. The proclamation was supported by the county’s Department of Diversity and Equity, as well as the county’s Commission on African-American History, Heritage, and Culture.
Nine supporters of the proclamation stood together in front of the commission to ask for them to adopt language stating that all people are entitled to dignity and for everyone to dedicate themselves to ending the damage caused by racism.
Scalise was the sole “no” vote on the county commission, saying that similar proclamations have been “misguided and inappropriate.” He called the proclamation an example of Critical Race Theory, which he defined as a framework that “criticizes the foundations of law and order.”
Scalise went on to say that he would seek to dismantle the county’s Department of Diversity and Equity, citing that President Trump and major corporations like Amazon were all ending their DEI programs.
Scalise engaged in another culture war this year that was sparked by, of all things, bus stop benches.
Wilmington has a bus stop bench shortage that the city plans to devote over $750,000 to addressing. As of July, more than 75% of WAVE’s 400 bus stops didn’t have benches or shelters. The Wilmington chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) built and donated more than 30 benches to help address the need.
“The bench builds were undertaken as a mutual aid project to improve city transit and the lives of working-class Wilmington residents by making their commute easier,” the DSA wrote.
While the City of Wilmington was willing to work with the group on properly installing the donated benches, Scalise was not. In a Facebook post, Scalise called for the benches to be removed, labeling them as “political propaganda.”
Scalise went on to describe how the Proud Boys, an extremist right-wing white supremacy organization, had taken one of the benches.
“This is exactly what I (and others) predicted would happen. It will not end well,” wrote Scalise. “These benches will be removed. Law and order will be restored.”
Scalise’s record tells the story of a leader who is deeply misaligned with the needs of his constituents. As North Carolinians are struggling with rising costs, underfunded public schools, and deep cuts to healthcare programs, Scalise appears consumed by an obsession with waging culture wars.
Scalise’s opponent for NC House District 20, New Hanover County Board of Education Member Tim Merrick, has built his campaign on addressing the affordability crisis.
“When evaluating budgets, tax policy, and economic incentives, I will ask a simple question: Are the choices we are making improving opportunities and quality of life for the people of North Carolina?” wrote Merrick in a candidate questionnaire from WHQR. “Being the best state for business means more when we are also working to make North Carolina one of the best states in which to live, work, and raise a family”.
Early voting began on Thursday, October 15th and ends at 3 pm on Saturday, October 31st. You can still register or update your voter registration during the early voting period.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd.
