Who Is Arnie Osborn?

My Family

Originally from Maryland, I have been a resident of Wake County since 2004. For many wonderful years my wife, Susan, from Richmond, Virginia, has been a part of my life and we are happily married with four great children. Each of our children holds a very special and unique place in my heart.

Our oldest son, 19-year-old Erik, is currently serving our country as a soldier in the US Army. Our daughter, Shannon, is on the cusp of her first college experience at East Carolina University. We also have two younger children, Mary and Noah who attend Wake County schools. Mary is attending 10th grade at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School, while my 6-year-old son, Noah, who requires some special attention, due to autism, is a student at East Garner Elementary School.

Noah and my other children are a huge reason for my run. Their education and the education of their classmates are a strong part of my passion. Also, I have grown tired of witnessing "common sense" being abandoned in favor of government control. Like all parents, I want quality schools and a quality future for my children and all of the children of Wake County. Along with these schools we need conrtolled spending, personal responsibility, better focus on our families and neighborhoods and we must hold government accountable at every level.

My Background

At our home in Maryland, my parents taught me the importance of family, good parenting, and the independent spirit that drives my political philosophy in favor of personal choice and against a nanny government. After attending a local college in Maryland, I served honorably as a US Navy sailor during the Vietnam era .
The primary part of my service was performed on board the USS Richard E Byrd DDG-23,
where I held a Top Secret Security Clearence working with the Tartar Missile Systems.

Upon returning from active duty, I worked as a computer engineer and a realtor, and opened my own business in Maryland.

Additionally, I served as a youth pastor and mentor for ten years, which has given me a personal view of the struggles students deal with, and has broadened my approach to school issues. In this position, I partnered with the Baltimore City Police to put my skills as a conflict negotiator to work to help lessen the stranglehold gangs and violence had on the city’s youth.

Political Leanings

My faith is very important to me, and defines everything I do. I’m a Christian, first and foremost.
This fact about me influences my entire worldview, including my political leanings. I’m also a registered Republican. While I judge every candidate individually and don’t vote blindly based on party alone, the most important thing to me is honesty. A candidate should mean what he or she says, and follow through on it.

I am a conservative. I want to have control over my own money – how I earn it, how I use it, and how I choose to give it away.
If the government takes away too much of our hard-earned money away, then how are we supposed to scrape up enough to support a church or a charity, or even our own children? As a member of the Town Council, I will oppose unnecessary spending increases and always look for ways that the council can be more lean and efficient, allowing Garner citizens to keep more of their own money and control of their own lives.

To learn more about me read my Platform.