Republican Dean Stephens is looking to gain his first political office.

Stephens, 62, a computer consultant from Colerain, is seeking a seat in the U.S. Congress representing the 1st Congressional District of North Carolina. The post currently held by Democrat G.K. Butterfield.

Stephens will officially announce his campaign in Edgecombe County at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28 outside the Fleming Building on the campus of Edgecombe Community College. Other stops that day include one in Greenville and Elizabeth City.

Stephens holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgia State University in Atlanta. His interest in politics; however, began when he worked for the campaign to elect Arnold Schwarzenegger governor of California.

“There is a significant need to change the direction of our nation. The American people are unhappy with the partisan war over every issue that comes up, especially on the key issues of education, border security and national freedom,” states Stephens’ campaign pamphlet.

“The demand for more government by Democrats and less government by Republicans is a distraction. There is no reason this partisan war cannot be replaced by agreement to seek effective government instead.”

In an interview with The Daily Southerner, Stephens said his main focus if elected was dealing with education, tax reform, securing the borders and defending America.

“Our schools are failing,” said Stephens. “What we are doing with education is a disaster.

“… it is the poor and the minorities that suffer the most. They deserve better.”

Stephens said education needs to be tied to competition and accountability. He said the county needs to be mobilized in favor of “dramatic education reform based on competition.”

He feels the educational system is controlled by the teacher union members and administrators, and he feels “that needs to be changed.”

“There are pockets of good education where the rich go. It is the poor and minorities that (suffer) the most. They deserve better,” said Stephens.

Stephens had previously run for a seat on the Bertie County Board of Education, but lost out to his opponent.

“Unlike most Republicans, my concern with taxes is not just lowering them, but also having to use taxes as part of a spending reform,” Stephens said.

“We need a more reasonable tax system than we currently have,” he added.