Lincoln County GOP leader endorses Sigmon
Sr. partner of Lincolnton law firm endorses Sigmon bid for Congress
LINCOLNTON—The senior partner of a 96-year-old Lincolnton law firm that produced two Republican members of the U.S. Congress last week endorsed the candidacy of Lance Sigmon in the 10th District congressional race.
Harvey A. Jonas Jr., 88, who practiced law for many years with the late Congressman Charles R. Jonas in Lincolnton, sized up Sigmon with a broad smile: “I like the way you look; yes sir, you look like a Congressman.”
Harvey Jonas’ first cousin, Charles Raper Jonas, represented Lincoln County in the U.S. Congress for 20 years, 1953-1973, and was only the second Republican elected to represent North Carolina. His father, Charles Andrew Jonas, was the first, elected in 1928.
Charles R. Jonas, who died at age 84 in 1988, became known in North Carolina as “Mr. Republican.” A staunch conservative in Congress on both social and fiscal matters, he was known for slashing the budgets of four U.S. presidents—Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon.
The N.C. General Assembly in 1991 honored “the life and memory” of Charles R. Jonas, who also served in the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps in World War II, with a joint resolution. The City of Lincolnton also has named its public library in his honor.
“I am proud to seek the office of U.S. congressman in the same conservative Republican tradition of Charles R. Jonas,” said Sigmon from the Jonas Law Firm, which dates to 1912. “When elected, I will work hard to earn the same reputation of respect and integrity.”
Sigmon is challenging incumbent Patrick McHenry in the May 6 Republican primary.
Harvey A. Jonas Jr. told Sigmon: “I am impressed by your story of achievement through hard work. I like your conservative ideals, your honorable family name and your record of military service.”
The dean of Lincolnton Republicans personally introduced Sigmon to other members of the Jonas firm.
A Catawba County native, Sigmon retired in 2005 from a 21-year career in the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel and started a solo law practice defending military personnel. His service includes 17 years in the JAG Corps as an attorney and judge.
To find out more about the 49-year-old Republican, or how to contribute to his campaign, Sigmon directed interested persons to his website: sigmonforcongress.com. He added that a biweekly newsletter also is available online or by mail.
