Shawn Daley/Apex Herald

Rep. Paul Stam, center, speaks with reporters during a recent campaign kickoff event at the Halle Cultural Arts Center in Apex.

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When mulling over the idea of whether or not to seek re-election, Rep. Paul Stam couldn’t help but focus on one prevalent factor.

In his mind, Stam believed his job in the N.C. House of Representatives wasn’t yet complete and he was not about to leave such important work undone.

Stam officially announced his decision to seek a seventh term as the District 37 representative. The announcement was made during a campaign kickoff event held at the Halle Cultural Arts Center in downtown Apex.

“The last session was the first time in 140 years that the Republicans could pass legislation,” said Stam, a longtime Apex resident. “During the next session, we want to finish the job. You can only do so much at one time.”

A host of important and influential Republicans at both the state and local level attended the event to show their support for the N.C. House Majority Leader.

Former congressman and state party chairman Bill Cobey was a special guest. Others among the many lawyers, lobbyists and GOP backers in attendance included Rep. Nelson Dollar, businessman and former Apex mayor Bob Barker, former Wake County School Board Chairman Ron Margiotta, economic development guru Ernie Pearson, Apex Mayor Keith Weatherly, Apex Town Councilman-elect Scott Lassiter and developer Joey Iannone, who was recently named the Apex Citizen of the Year.

Cobey told those in attendance that Republicans could not start relaxing following the historical success of the 2010 elections.

“Looking at the scene in North Carolina, we as Republicans finally have the majority,” said Cobey. “We have seen already how valuable that is in the kind of legislation that has been passed and stopped.

“But Paul needs your help probably more than ever. (The position of majority leader) comes with a lot more work and responsibility. We can’t rest, we can’t take it easy.”

Stam said he would like tackle the issues of education reform and modernizing the tax code in 2013.

A staunch conservative that is no stranger to controversy, Stam downplayed the rhetoric often heard between Democrats and Republicans.

“Most of what we do is just good government,” said Stam. “You also have some real disagreements with some items. Most bills are bi-partisan and I would say 80 percent are non-controversial bills. Another 10 percent are bi-partisan bills that cause some controversy. It’s the other 10 percent that are high profile issues that pit one party against another.”