By CAREY JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer

A man who wore his emotions and his Republican Party loyalties on his sleeve died over the weekend.

Dave Harker was 61.

Harker moved to Youngsville in 2001 and, just as soon, immersed himself into the Republican Party, culminating in a run for the N.C. House of Representatives in 2006.

He lost to incumbent Lucy Allen, but he never lost his zeal for politics, people or life, friends said this week.



“When he walked into a room, a lot of times he would say: Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages,” said Danny Pearce, a close friend who also served as Harker’s campaign manager, while making reference to Harker’s mimicking of the popular Ringling Brothers phrase.

“He just brightened up a room,” Pearce said. “He just had a jovial spirit."

“He didn’t know any strangers and they wouldn’t be strangers five minutes after meeting him,” Pearce said.

That kind of personality led Harker to run for office and garner 31 percent districtwide of the vote the first time out against Allen in 2006.

“That’s why he got the vote,” Pearce said. “He was diligent.

“He was stopping at stores and talking to people. He would meet people in the streets and talk with them like he knew them a long time.

“That’s why he was so good.”

Harker’s roots were not in politics, though, as he was raised on a farm in Aurora, Ill.

According to his biography submitted during his candidacy, Harker wanted to enlist in the Navy out of high school, but a deformity kept him out of the armed forces.

The businessman then found his way to Youngsville and Franklin County where he quickly got involved in conservative politics. Harker, to a great degree, was one of the more popular faces in the Party.

Republican Party President John Edwards said Harker injected the party with his feisty attitude.

“He was definitely a fighter,” Edwards said. “He did not hold back on what he had to say about issues.

“He pretty much went around and talked and spoke his mind,” Edwards said. “He always had a smile and made folks feel at ease.

“And he campaigned on issues that resonated with a lot of people,” Edwards said. “For a first-time candidate, he put a lot of effort into it.”

Rep. Allen, who ran against Harker, said their campaign efforts were always good-natured.

“Dave was one of the friendliest opponents I’ve had,” Allen said this week. “He was always cordial.

“After the results were posted (in the election) he came up to me immediately and congratulated me.

“I was aware that he was planning to run again,” Allen said. “He was always one of the friendliest folks I encountered.

“I’m just very distressed to hear this news (of his passing),” she said. “I offer my sincere condolences to his family.”

After he lost, Harker said he would run again. And he intended to run again, even in declining health.

He still attended Republican Party meetings, even when his friends realized his health was failing.

“He just had a commitment,” Pearce said. “He really wanted to help people.”

Pearce said that type of dedication is difficult to replace — no matter the political party.

“That’s a very difficult task,” Pearce said. “You do not run into people with the spirit and attitude that Dave had.

“I think, personally, there are a lot of people in politics, whether they are on one side or another, they sit on their laurels and wait for someone to do the work and that’s not fair to either party,” Pearce said. “If you’re concerned about your livelihood and the community, you should get active.

“That’s the thing that Dave believed in so much,” Pearce said. “He said I want to help. What does it take? He would talk to people and get out and knock on doors.

“I don’t see that we will find that kind of person immediately,” Pearce said. “It’s just not likely.

“I wish we could, but they don’t come around that often.”

Visitation is currently scheduled at Bright’s Funeral Home in Wake Forest this evening (July 18) from 7 until 8:30 p.m. The funeral will be in Greensboro on Thursday.