Pat McCrory, former mayor of Charlotte, will be at Little Bo Steakhouse on Thursday for the Richmond County Republican Men’s Club’s annual Christmas dinner. The meeting starts at 6 p.m.

He is scheduled to speak to the group about the importance of strong leadership as the avenue to economic recovery. He will also stress the importance of strong Christian leadership and the role it plays in our future.

McCrory was the Republican Party’s nominee for governor in 2008 and he narrowly lost to current governor, Beverly Perdue. McCrory has not announced any intentions on running for future political office.

“We invited the former mayor to speak at our event due to his proven record of leadership of which he exhibited during his tenure as mayor of Charlotte and during the gubernatorial race of 2008”, said Rev. Tim B. Watson, vice-president of programs for the Richmond County Republican Men’s Club.

The Republican Men’s Club will also have Dr. Ron Baity, founder of “Return America,” a group whose goal is to return Christian principles to American government. Dr. Baity has been asked to open the new legislative session in January with prayer.