Meet N.C.’s most powerful legislator
Tim Moore is a Republican from King’s Mountain in line to succeed Thom Tillis (our newest U.S. senator) as the next speaker of the N.C. House this week. It is arguably the most powerful political position in the state, especially with a Republican-majority legislature.
Here’s what you need to know about Moore, a lifelong North Carolinian and attorney:
He’s a lawyer from Kings Mountain, and next Speaker of the NC House. Meet Tim Moore. http://t.co/JoT3286jcf pic.twitter.com/aS25t2j062
— Rick Thames (@rthames) January 11, 2015
(1) As a kid, Moore worked at his father’s store, Rick’s Ole Country Store, sweeping floors, working the register and cutting “the county’s thickest fatback.” He also liked to listen and join in the political debates that popped up among the regulars. At age 10, he put up signs for Ronald Reagan. (This is fried fatback, btw:)
(3) Voted “most ambitious” by classmates at Kings Mountain High.
Likely NC House speaker talks honesty, bipartisanship: Tim Moore has spent almost all his life in Kings Mountain,… http://t.co/hvFgNd9r0G — Durham Daily News (@durhamdailynews) January 2, 2015
(4) Attended Campbell University and then transferred after two years to UNC Chapel Hill. Immediately got elected to student congress at Carolina and quickly rose to become speaker. One piece of legislation he introduced: a bill to stop the gay and lesbian association from getting its $2,000 appropriation.
#NC: Likely House speaker Tim Moore criticized for trying to defund UNC gay group in 1992 via @newsobserver: http://t.co/xGSRufVzhh #ncga
— Equality NC (@equalitync) January 6, 2015
//><!--(5) Moore has earned the designation “the youngest” in several capacities: Youngest member of the University of North Carolina’s Board of Governors. One of the youngest elected to the state House at 32. Now, at age 44, he’s the youngest speaker of the N.C. House in the last 25 years.//--><!
Rep. Tim Moore of Kings Mountain wins GOP support on first ballot to be next House speaker: http://t.co/RTO27RWRGK @timmoorenc — GastonGazette (@gastongazette) November 22, 2014
(6) He is unabashedly conservative. He opposes expanding Medicaid to the uninsured, he opposes gay marriage and he believes Charlotte-Douglas airport should be taken from the city’s control. Quote: “I believe what folks do in their own lives is their business, and I don’t try to impose on that,” Moore says. “But I do think … marriage ought to be what it’s always been, between one man and one woman.”
(8) He’s got a sense of adventure: He’s bought a Jaguar and two Porsches and loves to travel the world. (We have no idea what Porches he bought, but we like this one:)
A gorgeous 2006 Riviera Blue Carrera S shown at the #Porsche Club of America’s Werks Reunion. #NoSubstitute pic.twitter.com/WL6mfyUPp9 — Porsche (@Porsche) August 16, 2014
Photos: Kathleen Purvis & John D. Simmons / Charlotte Observer
This story was originally published January 12, 2015 at 1:04 AM with the headline "Meet N.C.’s most powerful legislator."