Over the weekend, High Point Mayor Jay Wagner made a big announcement on his Facebook page.

Wagner is throwing his hat into the ring and running in the Republican primary for North Carolina’s 6th District Congressional seat.

“I’m excited to announce that I’m running for Congress,” Wagner stated in a post on Facebook on Sunday, Oct. 8.  “The support and encouragement from individuals in North Carolina and Washington D.C. for a Congressional campaign have been deeply meaningful. I will proudly fight each day for our strong North Carolina values once elected.”

 He also already has a campaign landing page where people can sign up to get email alerts regarding the campaign.

Wagner said he is running for the congressional seat based on the things he has helped accomplish in High Point while mayor.

 He’s a native of High Point and lifelong resident who says that it is a city he “deeply loves.”

Wagner said he decided to run for mayor because he saw the possibility of a bright future for the whole city, not just parts of it.. He points to the increased economic growth of the last few years in the city as a big accomplishment of the city, and also pointed to jobs created, a more livable city, and the attraction of more and more businesses to High Point.

Wagner argues he’s been a positive force in keeping the tax rate steady in the city, and been a big supporter of law enforcement and High Point’s anti-violence programs.

A graduate of Oak Ridge Military Academy, where he was battalion commander and class valedictorian, he later graduated cum laude North Carolina Central University Law School.

Before becoming mayor of High Point, he served as a city councilmember for Ward 4. He’s also a partner in the law firm Fisher Wagner, PLLC.

 His community leadership includes serving as a board member for The City Project and acting as chairman of the High Point Planning & Zoning Commission as well as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the YMCA of Greater High Point.

Wagner is married to Leigh Wagner, and they have two children – Sarah and John.

The mayor offered the following statement regarding his run for Congress: “The support and encouragement from individuals in North Carolina and Washington D.C. for a Congressional campaign have been deeply meaningful. Now more than ever, it’s vital to have serious conservative leadership. I will focus on reducing energy costs, curbing excessive spending, reducing our unprecedented inflation, opposing rising sentiments of anti-semitism, and fully standing with Israel and supporting their war against terror.  Weakness is the greatest detriment to freedom, and I will ensure we have strong leadership to face our greatest of challenges ahead. I will proudly fight each day for our strong North Carolinian values.”

He also said the state’s residents need proactive leaders “who can cut through the Washington gridlock and chaos to provide serious solutions-oriented leadership and deliver tangible results for North Carolinians.”