Hugh Webster (politician)

Hugh B. Webster (August 6, 1943 – March 4, 2022)[1] was a Republican member of the North Carolina General Assembly representing the state's 24th Senate district, including constituents in Alamance, Caswell, and parts of Person counties by defeating the eight year incumbent Democrat, George Daniel.[2]

Webster was the first elected Republican senator from Caswell County since John W. Stephens in 1868, whose subsequent murder led up to the Kirk–Holden War. A farmer and an accountant by trade, Webster served six terms in the state senate until he was narrowly defeated by 460 votes for re-election on November 7, 2006 by Tony Foriest.[3]

In 2008, Webster challenged U.S. Rep. Brad Miller to represent North Carolina's 13th congressional district. He was defeated by Miller, with the incumbent winning nearly 66 percent of the district vote.[4][5]

Webster was appointed Register of Deeds for Alamance County, North Carolina in 2011 and was reelected twice until stepping down in 2021.[6]

Biography

Personal life and political career

In 1961, Webster graduated from Bartlett Yancey High School in Yanceyville, North Carolina. He went on to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1965. Webster then joined the US Army, serving two years.

After passing the CPA exam in 1969, Webster worked as an auditor and tax specialist for major accounting firms in the U.S., Latin America, and Africa, and did contract audit work for the U.S. departments of Defense and Labor in the U.S. and Europe.

Webster worked for 30 years as a self-employed accountant in Yanceyville, providing tax preparation and small-business services. He also worked as a farmer, raising tobacco, grain, and cattle.

During 12 years in the North Carolina General Legislature, Webster served on various committees, including finance and appropriations, environment and natural resources, and agriculture. He worked on several bills affecting state taxes.

Webster notably sponsored a bill, known as the "Baby Greer Act," which would allow prosecutors to charge those accused of murdering pregnant women with double homicide. Similar bills have since been under discussion in the legislature.

Webster's campaign issues included immigration, reducing federal spending, and protecting constitutional rights such as free speech and gun ownership.[2]

Webster had two children with his wife Pat: LeGrand and Noel. He and his wife resided in Burlington, North Carolina.

References
  1. "Hugh B. Webster". Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  2. "Hugh Webster's long-shot bid for Congress hinges on immigration". October 2008. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  3. "North Carolina State Senate elections, 2006".
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-02-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina, 2008#District 13
  6. Burlington Times-News
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