Donnie Loftis (born September 7, 1956) is an American politician who has served in the North Carolina House of Representatives since November 2021.[1] A member of the Republican Party, he represents the 109th district, which contains part of Gaston County.
Donnie Loftis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 109th district | |
| Assumed office November 1, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Dana Bumgardner |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 7, 1956 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Deena |
| Children | 1 |
| Residence(s) | Gastonia, North Carolina, U.S. |
Loftis previously served as chair of the Gaston County board of commissioners and as chair of the board of directors of CaroMont Health. He resigned the latter position on May 4, 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in North Carolina, after spreading COVID-19 misinformation and posting on his personal Facebook page that Gov. Roy Cooper's stay-at-home order amounted to "tyranny".[2]
Loftis was also present at the U.S. Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. He wrote on social media on January 6 that he "got gassed three times and was at the entrance when they breached the door".[3] When asked by a reporter in October 2021 about his involvement, he claimed that he "had absolutely zero involvement in the rioting and categorically condemn the storming of our Capitol building that day".[3]
Early life and career
editGaston County board of commissioners
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2021) |
CaroMont Health
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2021) |
North Carolina House of Representatives (2021–present)
editLoftis previously ran for the 109th district seat in the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2012. In the four-candidate Republican primary won by Dana Bumgardner, he placed fourth with 19.1% of the vote.[4]
Appointment
editAfter Rep. Bumgardner died in office on October 2, 2021, from liver cancer,[5] the county Republican Party convened to recommend a candidate to replace him. The governor, Roy Cooper, was then required to appoint this candidate to the North Carolina House of Representatives within seven days.[5][6] Loftis defeated county commissioner Ronnie Worley and Bumgardner's daughter Lauren Bumgardner Current to win the party endorsement on October 21.[6][7]
Loftis was sworn in on November 1, 2021. His seating led to a walk-out by House Democrats to protest his involvement in the U.S. Capitol riot.[8] Bobbie Richardson, chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, said in a statement that "today marks a new low for General Assembly Republicans, because instead of condemning those actions and rejecting the rhetoric that incites violence, they are welcoming a Capitol insurrection participant with open arms".[8]
Committee assignments
edit2021-2022 session
edit- Appropriations
- Appropriations - Transportation
- Health
- Homeland Security, Military, and Veterans Affairs
- Local Government
- Transportation
Electoral history
edit2022
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Donnie Loftis (incumbent) | 2,649 | 33.69% | |
| Republican | John Gouch | 1,814 | 23.07% | |
| Republican | Ronnie Worley | 1,742 | 22.15% | |
| Republican | Lauren Bumgardner Current | 1,658 | 21.09% | |
| Total votes | 7,863 | 100% | ||
2012
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dana Bumgardner | 2,990 | 35.05% | |
| Republican | Wil Neumann | 2,023 | 23.71% | |
| Republican | Tom Keigher | 1,885 | 22.10% | |
| Republican | Donnie Loftis | 1,633 | 19.14% | |
| Total votes | 8,531 | 100% | ||
2008
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Donnie Loftis | 44,305 | 55.52% | |
| Democratic | Jennifer Pharr Davis | 35,490 | 44.48% | |
| Total votes | 79,795 | 100% | ||
2004
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | William Current | 1,265 | 59.92% | |
| Republican | Donnie Loftis | 506 | 23.97% | |
| Republican | Pat Underwood | 340 | 16.11% | |
| Total votes | 2,111 | 100% | ||
References
edit- ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
- ^ Smoot, Hannah (May 5, 2020). "NC hospital chair resigns after posting about stay-at-home 'tyranny' and COVID-19 conspiracy". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
- ^ a b Fain, Travis (October 22, 2021). "Incoming NC lawmaker was at Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol protests, riot". WRAL.com. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
- ^ "NC House of Representatives, District 109, official primary election results". North Carolina State Board of Elections. May 8, 2012. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
- ^ a b Ellis, Kevin (October 3, 2021). "Gaston County lawmaker Dana Bumgardner died Saturday from cancer". The Gaston Gazette. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
- ^ a b Ellis, Kevin (October 21, 2021). "Gaston GOP makes House replacement pick". The Gaston Gazette. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
- ^ "Former Gaston County commissioner to serve in NC House". Associated Press. October 21, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
- ^ a b Murphy, Brian (November 1, 2021). "NC House Democrats walk out on newest Republican member, who participated in Jan. 6". The News & Observer. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
- ^ [1] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ^ [2] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ^ [3] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ^ [4] North Carolina State Board of Elections.