If successful, the 59-year-old owner of six McDonald’s restaurants has high hopes: lowering taxes all around while still supporting the town’s goal of increasing the commercial tax base from 20 to 35 percent.

“The easiest way is to continue to bring business to Apex,” he said.

It’s a platform Haynie thinks he can personally support. Come Oct. 14, he will employ more than 100 Apex residents once his seventh McDonald’s opens at Broadstone Station off N.C. 55. “I’m actually the only candidate that can bring jobs to Apex,” he said.

Haynie also thinks his 41 years with McDonald’s — starting as an 18- year-old crew member — can’t hurt with evaluating budgets.

“I am comfortable with meticulously evaluating the town’s $60- million revenue stream,” he said, pointing out that he meets pay roll every two weeks for more than 325 employees.

Not an easy task, he said, given that the recent minimum wage increase has added an extra $1,300 per week.

Haynie is new to local politics but not new to being a local. He has lived in Apex 23 years with wife Arlene. Daughters Katie and Lauren both teach locally, and son Tommy is an approved McDonald’s manager.

In addition to jobs and taxes, he’d like to see the town gain authority over state roads such as Old Raleigh Road and fix the pot holes.