Shawn Daley / Garner News

N.C. Senate District 18 candidate Chad Barefoot, right, speaks with a fellow Republican last week in Apex.

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APEX – During the past five years, Raleigh resident Chad Barefoot has played an important behind-the-scenes role in helping other area Republicans run for office.

Now he is hoping to secure an election victory for himself.

Barefoot has decided to run for the N.C. Senate Distråict 18 seat in 2012. The district covers a portion of eastern Wake County, including Garner and Fuquay-Varina, and all of Franklin County.

“The 2012 elections will be one of the biggest our country has seen,” said Barefoot. “It is important to have good, credible candidates running.”

The announcement was made Nov. 30 during a campaign kickoff event for N.C. House Majority Leader Paul “Skip” Stam at the Halle Cultural Arts Center in Apex.

Barefoot has managed Stam’s campaigns since 2006 and served as his legislative aide since 2009.

“He is the most mature young man I’ve ever met,” said Stam. “He specializes in wise decisions. I think he will be governor one day.”

Although Barefoot has never run for office before, Stam encouraged him to seek the senate seat in 2012.

“He has been a great mentor to me,” said Barefoot.

The changes made to the newly drawn senate district, which now encompasses all of Garner, also helped Barefoot with his decision. He believes incumbent Democrat Doug Berger leans much too far to the left for local residents.

“He is an off-the-charts liberal,” said Barefoot. “My parents live in Garner and they are Democrats and I know they would never vote for him. I’m looking to fill that void.”

Barefoot said strong leadership and fiscal responsibility would be his main priorities if elected.

“We have to make sure the state budget is balanced,” said Barefoot. “That should be the number one issue for any candidate.”

Barefoot has served on executive boards of the Wake County Republican Party, Western Wake Republican Club and the Southern Wake Republican Club. He also served as precinct chairman and district chairman in House District 37.

Besides having the strong support of Stam, Barefoot also counts N.C. Rep. Nelson Dollar and Wake County Register of Deeds Laura Riddick among his supporters.

Another Republican, Rep. Glen Bradley of Youngsville, also announced that he will seek the District 18 senate seat.