Holding praises subject of Ellmers’ ‘barbecue’ insult

Thanking his supporters at a victory celebration Tuesday night, U.S. Rep. George Holding mentioned by name the campaign worker mocked earlier in the day by his opponent.

“One lady down in Harnett County, Maggie Sandrock, got there at 6:15 this morning and worked until 7:30 this evening. And her story is typical of a lot of the other volunteers who are out there as well,” Holding, a Raleigh Republican, said during the celebration at the Hibernian Pub.

Sandrock is a former chair of the Harnett County Republican Party. On Tuesday, a WNCN TV camera captured a comment Rep. Renee Ellmers made to Sandrock at a polling place in Ellmers’ hometown of Dunn.

“You’re eating a little bit too much pork barbecue. Whoo!” Ellmers said as she walked into to vote.

Holding defeated fellow Republican Ellmers in a rare primary contest between incumbents.

When asked about Ellmers’ comments, Holding responded, “Maggie’s a wonderful lady, and I’m just really honored to have her support. You know, she worked that poll from 6:15 this morning to 7:30 tonight, and to have someone like that who’ll stand up for you is just really humbling and honoring to me.”

This story was originally published June 8, 2016 at 2:57 PM with the headline "Holding praises subject of Ellmers’ ‘barbecue’ insult."