Firing back against Debra Maggart's questioning of whether her campaign was "legitimate," Courtney Rogers issues this statement:

“Ms. Maggart has the right to say what she believes about this race and about my “legitimacy”.  Her insinuations that I am some kind of “johnny-come-lately” are ridiculous on their face.  While she was working so hard to “involve” herself in Republican Party activities in the 1980’s and 1990’s, I was “involved” in defending the nation against Cold War enemies aboard the Looking Glass Strategic Air Command Platform and providing strategic targeting for ground troops in Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operation Desert Storm in Iraq.  My service to country is not less in substance than hers was stateside and I resent the implication,” said Rogers, taking a break from her door- knocking in Hendersonville.
 
“Her observation of my first quarter fundraising as evidence of my lack of legitimacy just highlights how Ms. Maggart judges legitimacy.  In her mind, the fact that she has raised tens of thousands of dollars from Big Business and Lobbyists creates legitimacy in her mind.  This kind of shallow reasoning should be concerning to her constituents.”  With a twinkle in her eye, she continued, "Perhaps she considers the National Rifle Association as illegitimate, too."  Recently, the NRA came calling and gave Rogers their absolute endorsement in the Republican Primary and chastised Maggart for her lack of support for 2nd Amendment legislation during the 107th General Assembly."
 
“Debra has spread statements like these for the past four months and they make her look small and frightened.  I have met the qualifications to place myself before the voters and the voters themselves will decide whether I am legitimate on August 2nd.  From my travels in the district, many voters, including teachers, parents of students, elected officials, and gun owners are being more than receptive to me and assure me that they will give me due consideration.”