Did McHenry's "residence" in DC earn tax break as he voted in NC?

10th District Republican congressional candidate Lance Sigmon has released an official document, that may be viewed at www.sigmonforcongress.com, showing current Rep. Patrick McHenry probably received up to a $30,000 tax break in 2001 intended for Washington, DC residential homeowners who claim the District of Columbia as their primary residence. (See applicable DC Law, page 3.)

The problem for McHenry is that, during the same year, he also was registered to vote and in fact, according to State Board of Elections voting records, did vote in North Carolina. (See NC Voter Requirements and McHenry's Relevant Voting Record, page 3.)

One or the other of the congressman's actions "is improper and possibly illegal - but at least violated the spirit of the law," Sigmon said. "The law in DC requires that, in order to obtain the tax benefit, you must reside in the District on a regular basis and North Carolina has a similar requirement in order to vote. Clearly, he can't have a 'primary' residence in both places at once."

North Carolina voter records show that the then-25-year-old voted in 2000 and 2001, and it "appeared" that he never changed his voter registration from the state, even after becoming a "principal" resident of Washington, DC. "This is exactly the kind of disreputable behavior that voters are so tired of.”

"My campaign is about restoring ethics and honesty in Congress, not about self-promotion or financial advancement. Receiving tax benefits from Washington DC for living there as your primary residence, while also claiming residency in North Carolina to vote during the same time frame, is just plain wrong.”

Why am I running? "To make life better..."

When my family and I returned home to the Newton area from 21 years in the Air Force, we only wanted what most other famlies wanted-a stable, productive, and enjoyable life in which our children have the opportunity to realize their full potential.

While serving in the Air Force, I had traveled and lived all over the United States and several locations around the world. Still, our first choice when I retired was to return to our home area of the Catawba Valley.