In his roll-out email, Lentz said:
While I have long shared the progressive stances of moderates in both the Democratic and Republican parties, the recent tendency toward extremism and downright incompetence on the part of the spokespersons of both factions in North Carolina has led me to declare my independence of both formal party structures. I offer myself to the voters of the 94th District as an Independent dedicated to a common sense approach to addressing the problems facing the common people of our district and North Carolina.
It's going to be a steep hill to climb, getting those 1,800 signatures, and an even steeper hill if he actually gets on the ballot to overtake Elmore, who's been a safe Republican cog in the Raleigh conservative machine. But we can dream, can't we?
Lentz stakes out positions that will make him anathema to the Republican right-wing base:
I believe in a nonpartisan common sense approach to government that improves the lives of the people and communities in the 94th District. I want to promote respect for our professional educators, a fair system of taxation, protect our beautiful natural resources and seek health care for all citizens.