With pita bread in hand, B.J. Lawson, one of two Republican challengers for North Carolina's 4th congressional district seat, spoke on Wednesday at the Mediterranean Deli about inflation and its effect on food costs at a local level.
Lawson's campaign centers around economic issues, foreign policy and focusing decision-making at the state and local level.
"People hear things in abstract about the dollar going down, but these things are not esoteric," he told the handful of those gathered. "We all use gas. We all eat food."
If nominated, Lawson will run against incumbent U.S. Rep. David Price, D-Orange.
Wednesday's appearance was in keeping with Lawson's emphasis on localizing government.
"When you import tahini from the Middle East, you're competing with China," he said, stressing that communities working to keep purchasing power local can have a tangible effect on politics and economics.
"Instead of just always looking to Washington to fix it, you need to figure out the real cause."
He also spoke about the impact of changing federal monetary policy on local restaurant owners like Jamil Kadoura.
When Kadoura, one of the owners of Mediterranean Deli, began his business 16 years ago, the cost of one piece of pita bread was seven cents.
That cost had increased gradually to 11 cents, but in the last two months it has doubled to reach 22 cents per pita. Soy, dairy and wheat product expenses have also increased significantly.
"You can't increase prices to 100 percent the price of increase," Kadoura said. "So you cut into the margin of profit."
Kadoura met Lawson while catering one of his events. The issue of food costs was important to both of them, and they began to talk. Though a Democrat and Barack Obama supporter, Kadoura said he supports Lawson's position on the issue.
"This is very important to the average person," Kadoura said. "I don't care who's addressing this issue. Someone needs to address it."
Lawson focused on the ramifications of local politicians looking to the federal government for funds and support.
"We become so accustomed to thinking of 'government' as Washington," he said. "The problems we're seeing today are the result of too much government."
Ron Paul supporters freshman Colin Smith and sophomore Steve Kwon came to Mediterranean Deli as part of a group of UNC students who have been canvassing for Lawson since he declared his candidacy in December.
"At the Lawson fundraiser last weekend, there were cars with Obama stickers on them," Kwon said. "He's done a great job of bringing people from different ideologies together."
Smith was introduced to Lawson's politics when the candidate kicked off his campaign at the December Ron Paul convention.
"He's a very conservative Republican in ways people who claim to be Republican are not," Smith said.
Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.
