Tom Fetzer
| Tom Fetzer | |
|---|---|
| Chairman, North Carolina Republican Party | |
| In office 2009–2011 |
|
| Preceded by | Linda Daves |
| Succeeded by | Robin Hayes |
| Mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina | |
| In office 1993–1999 |
|
| Preceded by | Avery C. Upchurch |
| Succeeded by | Paul Coble |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 25, 1955 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Kate Spina Fetzer (m. 2009–present) |
| Children | Thomas Harrison Fetzer III b.2010 |
| Residence | Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Alma mater | Wake Forest University |
Thomas Harrison Fetzer (born April 25, 1955) served three two-year terms as Mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina from December 1993 to December 1999. He was elected the chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party on June 13, 2009, and served until January 15, 2011.
Contents |
[edit] Early career
A graduate of Wake Forest University, Fetzer began his career in politics with appointments as Assistant Secretary of Natural Resources and Chief Deputy Secretary of the Department of Transportation in the administration of North Carolina Governor James G. Martin, as well as executive assistant to Senator John Porter East (both Republicans). After entering the private sector, Fetzer was a marketing executive.
[edit] Mayor of Raleigh
During Fetzer's terms as mayor, city expansion continued,coupled with lower taxes. Police substations strategically placed throughout Raleigh helped bring about a decrease in the overall crime rate. He opposed a replacement for the city's Convention and Conference Center, preferring instead a modest renovation and expansion, but was instrumental in the relocation of the Hartford Whalers to the area as the Carolina Hurricanes and the construction of the RBC Center. Fetzer's administration also oversaw recovery from Hurricane Fran.
Fetzer favored tax cuts and thought that public art was a waste of taxpayer funds as mayor.[1]
[edit] Later career and political activity
After choosing not to run for a fourth term in office, Fetzer served as a teaching fellow at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and director of the Center for Local Innovation at the John Locke Foundation (he was succeeded in this position by his future opponent for state party chair, Chad Adams).[2] He then accepted a position with the United States Tennis Association in New York before returning to Raleigh several years later.[1] He re-engaged in state and local politics, although not as a candidate but as a political consultant.[1] In 2009, he ran for chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party.[3] He was elected chairman on June 13 on the second ballot at the party convention.[4]
During his tenure as NCGOP Chairman, Fetzer entered into a public feud with Tim D'Annunzio, a candidate for Congress in North Carolina's 8th congressional district. D'Annunzio was blasted by Fetzer over an article in the Charlotte Observer that headlined decades old court documents of a divorce proceeding that portrayed D'Annunzio as "a self-described religious zealot". D'Annunzio called for Fetzer's resignation, and threatened to sue Fetzer for $5 million if he did not issue a public apology. Fetzer stated that D'Annunzio is "unfit for public office at any level," among other things. D'Annunzio at the time was in a heated runoff for the Republican nomination for the seat held by Larry Kissell. D'Annunzio's attorneys at The Mitchell Law Group wrote that Fetzer was asserting that D'Annunzio has not overcome his mistakes, which they see as a lie, which would not be protected by the same Constitutional rights that govern political speech. Fetzer eventually settled his defamation suit.
In a statement, Fetzer said that D'Annunzio has not pointed out any untruths. "Everything I've said about Mr. D'Annunzio comes from public court documents. He has yet to point out that anything I have said is untrue. His fight is not with me, it is with the truth and his own record. These are the tactics of a millionaire bully, and I will not be bullied." [5]
Fetzer chose to leave the post of NCGOP Chairman five months before his term expired, and was replaced by former Congressman Robin Hayes on January 15, 2011. [6]
Fetzer became chairman for Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign in North Carolina in December 2011.[7]
[edit] Family life
On October 17, 2009, Fetzer married Kate Spina. [8] The couple had a son, Thomas Harrison Fetzer III, on July 2, 2010.[9]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Johnson, Mark (2009-05-23). "Fetzer plans to sue over e-mail forward". Raleigh News & Observer. http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/1539353.html. Retrieved 2009-06-13.[dead link]
- ^ John Locke Foundation tour, June 11, 2009
- ^ News & Observer blog: Fetzer running for GOP chair
- ^ News & Observer: Fetzer takes reins of state GOP
- ^ D'Annunzio threatens to sue Fetzer for $5 million
- ^ http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13850189
- ^ http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/newt_gingrich_forms_north_carolina_campaign_team
- ^ News & Observer: Fetzer to wed
- ^ News & Observer: Introducing Thomas Harrison Fetzer III
| Preceded by Avery C. Upchurch |
Mayor of Raleigh December 1993– 1999 |
Succeeded by Paul Coble |
