Speaking to the Whiteville News Reporter, longtime Sen. R.C. Soles clarified the remarks he made in his earlier interview with the Tabor City paper. He denied plans to step down from the legislature immediately but did indicate that another run for his Senate seat — which includes Columbus, Brunswick, and Pender counties — is in doubt:

“If it were today, I would file; however, I have given serious thought to whether I want to continue in the legislature or not,” Soles said. “The financial burden of running is almost insurmountable now. I spent the second to most of any legislative candidate in the state on my campaign. I cannot and never have liked asking people to contribute. Most of the money that was spent last year was my own.”

More than $830,000 was spent on Soles’ campaign, according to reports filed with the state Board of Elections.

Soles said his father, R.C. Soles Sr., celebrated his 98th birthday this week. “I really ought to stay in the area to give him support,” the senator said.

How noble. In the meantime, Soles commented on the changing demographics in his district:

His district that once included heavily Democratic areas with populations that outnumbered Republican areas has changed. The solidly-Democratic Bladen County, once a part of his district, is now a part of Sen. Tony Rand’s district.

Soles’ district now includes Pender, Brunswick and Columbus County. Columbus County’s population, which has been historically Democrat, is dwindling as populations in Brunswick and Pender counties have grown exponentially and dramatically increased the number of Republican voters.

“There are many wonderful people from New York and New Jersey that have always registered as Republicans. It’s not that they dislike me. They don’t know me,” Soles said.

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