Forest, a 44-year-old architect from Raleigh, has already hit the campaign trail with hopes of winning the Republican primary, and then the Lieutenant Governor’s seat.

“When you feel moved to public service ... you can’t sit on the sidelines,” he says.

Forest will be in Zebulon Feb. 14 at the Fargo Cattle Company, 1007 Shepard School Road in Zebulon. He’ll be speaking to the Moccasin Creek Minutemen, a branch of the TEA party. The meeting starts at 6 p.m.

Forest says he’s already traveled 80,000 miles in North Carolina with a goal of visiting every county.

He touts his stances on economic development, education, and illegal immigration as the “three-legged stool” that is his platform.

On economic development, Forest thinks the state could benefit from lower taxes and fewer “hand-outs.”

“We have the 38th worst business climate in the country,” he says.

His positions on education and immigration go hand-in-hand.

He says only eight other states have “a greater problem with illegal immigration” than North Carolina.

“As a result, it costs us about $1 billion to educate illegals,” Forest said, quoting a Civitas Institute study.

Forest says he hasn’t drawn up any solutions to those issues, but simply wants to begin the discussion on how to fix them.

“I have a business background, and come from a profession rich with creative thinkers,” he said. “That’s what this state needs: Creative solutions to tough problems.”

Forest isn’t the only Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor. Wake County Commissioner Tony Gurley and N.C. Rep. Dale Folwell of Winston-Salem have also announced their candidacy.

The GOP primary is May 8.