“This is the most important election of our lifetime.” That is how Congresswoman Virginia Foxx described the 2010 election season to members of the Ashe County Republican Party at their convention on Saturday.

Foxx reiterated her remark with dire warnings about the Democratic version of the proposed health care reform effort in Washington, saying it would destroy jobs and raise taxes. “It’s a disaster for this country. We’re fighting this bill on principle,” said Foxx.

And she noted that corruption in Raleigh is worse than ever with the state government offering no real solutions to the enormous deficit except to raise taxes and depend on federal stimulus money. Comments from this former state senator were echoed by Jeffrey Elmore of North Wilkesboro and Dan Soucek of Watauga County, running for the NC Senate seat occupied by Democratic Sen. Steve Goss, and by Jonathan Jordan of Ashe County, running for Democratic Rep. Cullie Tarleton’s seat in the House. Jordan said he wants to help small business (like his ownlaw firm) “because that’s where the jobs come from.”

The GOP has alternatives for every “bad” bill brought up in Congress, Foxx said. She noted that the Republican Party is a party of alternatives, offering solutions to problems other than raising taxes.

“We’re being vigilant. We’re speaking up and fighting every step of the way,” said Foxx. “This is not a political fight. It is about this country and our freedom.”

And Foxx is being vigilant in her own campaign. She has competition from within her own party as well as from the Democrats. As does Senator Richard Burr, who was not at the local convention, but sent a letter that was read by Old Fields Precinct Chairman and former Clerk of Court Jerry Roten. In the letter, Burr said he is a target for the Democrats, but his seat in the U.S. Senate is also being targeted by other Republicans.

The convention also heard from candidates for local offices including county commissioner (Judy Porter Poe, William Sands and Gary Roark) and register of deeds (Dayna Price and Phyllis Critcher). Critcher said in a voice choking with emotion that she had been dismissed March 3 from her job as deputy in the Watauga County Register of Deeds office because of her campaign for the Ashe County position. She said the reason given by her employer was that her aspirations were too high.

The Fifth District Republican Party Convention will be held on Saturday, April 17 at the Wilkes County Courthouse with registration at 9 a.m. and the convention starting at 10 a.m. The state convention will be held June 4-6 in Winson-Salem.