Anthony Wayne Street, often known as Tony Street, is a Republican politician from North Carolina who has made notable bids for the position of North Carolina State Auditor. While he hasn’t secured a statewide office yet, his campaigns provide insights into the Republican landscape in North Carolina. This article delves into Anthony Street’s background, political campaigns, and key aspects of his public profile.
Anthony Wayne Street, Republican Candidate
Background and Education
Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, Anthony Street’s roots in the state run deep. He pursued higher education within North Carolina, earning a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington in 2005. Later, he furthered his academic qualifications with a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina, Pembroke in 2014. Professionally, Anthony Street is identified as a small business owner in the construction sector, showcasing his entrepreneurial background and connection to the business community. His religious affiliation is listed as Protestant.
Political Campaigns and Elections
Anthony Street has primarily focused his political aspirations on the office of North Carolina State Auditor. His most recent campaign was in 2024, and he also contested for the same position in 2020.
2024 North Carolina State Auditor Election
In the 2024 election cycle, Anthony Street entered the Republican primary for North Carolina State Auditor. The primary election took place on March 5, 2024. Facing a field of several Republican candidates including Jack Clark, Dave Boliek, Charles Dingee, Jeff Tarte, and Jim Kee, Street garnered 11.2% of the vote, totaling 95,863 votes. Ultimately, he did not advance to the next stage of the election. The Republican primary saw Dave Boliek emerge as the winner after a runoff election against Jack Clark, and Boliek eventually won the general election against Democrat Jessica Holmes and Libertarian Bob Drach.
2020 North Carolina State Auditor Election
Prior to 2024, Anthony Street also campaigned for North Carolina State Auditor in 2020. In this election cycle, he successfully won the Republican primary on March 3, 2020, defeating Tim Hoegemeyer with 56.2% of the vote. However, in the general election held on November 3, 2020, Street faced the incumbent Democratic State Auditor, Beth Wood. He was unsuccessful in unseating the incumbent, with Wood securing 50.9% of the vote to Street’s 49.1%. Despite the loss, the close margin indicates a significant level of Republican support in the state.
Campaign Themes and Stances
During his 2020 run for State Auditor, Anthony Street participated in Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey, providing insights into his campaign themes and political philosophy. His key campaign messages revolved around fiscal responsibility and government transparency:
- Accountability for Tax Dollars: Street emphasized the public’s right to know how tax money is spent.
- Transparency in Government: He pledged to fight for increased transparency in state government operations.
- Serving Public Needs: Street positioned himself as an auditor who would ensure the office serves the needs of North Carolina citizens.
Expanding on his policy interests, Street highlighted education spending as a key area he would scrutinize as State Auditor. He expressed concerns about the accountability and transparency of local school boards in managing funds received from the state, referencing a Carolina Journal article from 2019.
In terms of his political influences, Street cited Ronald Reagan as a figure he admires, particularly for Reagan’s stance on Christian and conservative values. To illustrate his political philosophy, he recommended the film “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” suggesting an alignment with themes of integrity and fighting for the common good against corruption.
Street identified honesty, integrity, and a commitment to serving all citizens as crucial characteristics for an elected official. He described himself as a determined and hardworking individual. His core responsibility as State Auditor, in his view, would be to act as a watchdog of public funds, promoting accountability and transparency in state spending. His desired legacy was to be remembered for advocating for Christian and Conservative morals and values.
Campaign Finance
According to campaign finance disclosures, Anthony Street’s campaign contributions for the 2024 North Carolina State Auditor race totaled $1,684. Expenditures for this period were reported as $0. This data provides a glimpse into the financial scale of his recent campaign efforts.
Conclusion
Anthony Street’s political career reflects his engagement within the Republican Party of North Carolina and his focus on fiscal accountability and transparency in government. While he has not yet achieved victory in his bids for State Auditor, his campaigns demonstrate his commitment to public service and his articulation of key Republican principles to North Carolina voters. His background as a small business owner and his emphasis on responsible government spending resonate with core tenets of the Republican platform.
