Editor’s Note: We have requested a photograph and resume from Candidate Pridgen. This story will be updated when we receive them.
Congressman David Rouzer will face a challenger from Columbus County in the November elections.
Marlando Demonte Pridgen, a Democrat, filed to run for the Seventh District Congressional seat on Dec. 13. The Whiteville-area resident has taught in the Columbus County Schools and is currently president and CEO of the International Center for Educational and Economic Advancement.
“It is my primary mission to help people overcome obstacles that prevent a whole, successful and fulfilling life,” Pridgen wrote on his LinkedIn page. “I am an advocate for developing solutions and united synergy that support and empower communities to make a difference in the lives of children and families.
“My company (Center for Creative Ideas) is a center for advocacy that creates grassroots economic and community development that will combat statistical disparities and ills that have burdened our government and the general public. Becoming a liaison between the people and government helps restore trust in the hearts of the American public that there is hope and truth beyond the clouds of division and hate. The greatest source of change lies in a God-centered trust amongst collective communities to become the heartbeat, the shoulder and hands to help people walk in their purpose and destiny.”
Since neither candidate has a primary challenger, Pridgen will face Rouzer, a Republican incumbent who has quietly risen to several powerful committee seats in Washington.
David Rouzer serves on the House Agricultural Committee; House Transportation and Infrastructure committee; and is chair of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Rouzer lives in Wilmington. He was raised in Durham, and spent summers working on family tobacco farms in Johnston County to pay for his education at N.C. State University. That led to a career in agribusiness and government service in the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture as well as the senate offices of Elizabeth Dole and Jesse Helms. He served in the state senate representing Wayne and Johnston counties. He has represented the Seventh District since 2015.
