Winston Salem Times

May’s GOP primary for the 6th Congressional District in North Carolina has attracted a few newcomers who hope not only to win the primary, but to wrest the region from its Democratic stronghold.

One political novice is Greensboro plastic surgeon Dr. Mary Ann Contogiannis, one of two women running to represent the Triad in the U.S. House of Representatives. For her, the decision to run comes down to the economy.

"Our economy has taken a very bad downturn and, in multiple areas, the country is just not doing what it could be doing,” she told NBC 12 News.

The district includes Guilford and Rockingham Counties, most of Caswell County and a small part of eastern Forsyth County. Traditionally, that area has voted Democratic.

If elected, Contogiannis wouldn’t be the only doctor in Congress, as 17 current U.S. representatives have medical degrees. Contogiannis said, if she wins the election, she would limit her medical practice to put the needs of her constituents first.

"I am so concerned as to the direction the country has been taking, and I decided it was time to do something about it,” Contogiannis told NBC 12 News.

With the economy at the fore, Contogiannis didn't identify any programs she'd cut, but she did make one strong commitment.

"I do not think we should cut military spending,” she said, according to NBC 12 News. “When you look at what's going on in Russia (and) Ukraine, we have to be ready to protect our citizens, and that should be at the top of what our government does is to protect America.”

A couple of stances set her apart among the seven GOP candidates in the primary. One is that she disagrees with her opponents about legalizing marijuana.

The primary is May 17, and the winner will face Greensboro Democrat Kathy Manning in the general election this November.