By JASON ALSTON, Daily Dispatch Writer

Hopefully state Sen. Doug Berger and Rep. Michael H. Wray didn't get too comfortable thinking they'd run for office unopposed, as both got last-minute challengers this week.

Berger (D-Youngsville), an attorney finishing his first term, was challenged by Republican candidate Chuck Stires of Youngsville Monday. Stires, a small business owner, said this is his first time running for an elected office.

“I'm not a politician; call me a concerned citizen,” Stires said Tuesday night. “There are several issues within this district that I don't feel are being addressed properly.”

Stires said one he intends to focus on is the importance of marriage and family in the community.

“What I have sensed is that ... there's not an appreciation and understanding of the value of family,” said Stires. Stires stated he's seen a lot of types of habitation that he believes doesn't “foster strong families.” Stires said he'd like to push issues related to family establishment to the forefront of the Senate floor instead of keeping them tied up in Senate committees.

Taxes are another concern for Stires. He said the state gasoline tax, especially, has not reflected the will of the people and has been especially burdensome on people from rural communities because they typically do more traveling. Stires added that state income taxes have increased over the past five years and residents of rural areas are most affected because they have less disposal income.

Stires is also concerned about schools and said children from rural areas are not receiving sufficient education. He believes school choice is important and that, in rural areas, there are fewer school choice options.

Stires said he also wants to stop inappropriate use of funds at the state level, including politicians taking money out of trust funds for other uses.

“People in the district, when I talked to them, do not approve of that,” Stires said about trust fund money being redirected.

Stires said he's lived in North Carolina for a total of 22 years and was asked by several people from the district, comprised of Vance, Warren, Granville and Franklin counties, to try running for office.

Check out Chuck's Web site at www.StiresforSenate.com.