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Monday, October 13, 2008 10:40 AM Senate race dominates congressional elections By Matt Shaw Daily Times Staff Writer When voting begins Thursday in Wilson and other N.C. counties, many people won't be thinking much beyond the first choice on the ballot. But neither John McCain nor Barack Obama will get much done in the next four years without the assistance of Congress. "We do have to work with whoever's president," U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield said Sunday. "The challenges we have with the economy and energy will require us to put aside partisanship." Wilson County voters will cast ballots in one U.S. Senate seat and two U.S. House districts. Most of the city is in the 1st House District while most of the county in the 3rd District. Nash County residents will vote in the Senate and U.S. House's 2nd District. In the Senate, Elizabeth Dole, a Republican originally from Salisbury, is trying to defend her seat from Democrat Kay Hagan, a state senator from Greensboro. Currently the Senate has 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans and two independents who generally caucus with the Democrats. Twenty-three Republican seats and 12 Democratic seats are up for election this year. Both parties would like to have a 60-member edge, which would allow them to end filibusters. The race between Dole and Hagan, which has been marked by numerous negative ads from both sides, is rated as a "toss-up" by all the major handicapping political sites. Recent polls have shown Hagan slightly ahead but usually within the polls' margin of error. Dole, 72, holds the seat once held by Jesse Helms and says she has strived to continue his record of constituent services. She said she also fought to protect N.C.'s military bases during the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission's review. But Hagan, 55, has attacked Dole for voting with the Bush Administration's agenda more than 90 percent of the time. She has pledged to be a more effective senator than Dole, who has been ranked near the bottom in terms of her ability to get things done in Congress. Butterfield is seeking his fourth election to represent the U.S. House's 1st District. Butterfield, a former N.C. Supreme Court justice, won a special election in July 2004 to replace U.S. Rep. Frank Ballance, who resigned amidst controversy. Butterfield won re-election in November 2004 and then again in 2006. This year, he is challenged by Republican Dean Stephens of Colerain. Stephens, who has a computing business, is running for office for the first time. He has not appeared at many events, outside of GOP gatherings, and has not issued any news releases since January, according to his Web site. The two men did face off in a debate filmed by WTVD (Channel 11), which is set to air next Sunday morning. "I would have liked more of a chance to face off with my opponent," Butterfield said Sunday. "Competition is healthy." The odds are stacked against Stephens. The 1st District is a minority-majority district, meaning it was created to make possible the election of African-American candidates. The district is 51 percent black voters, 45 percent white. During redistricting, Democrats made up 72 percent of the voters, Republicans 17 percent and unaffiliated voters 11 percent. In the 3rd District, Walter B. Jones, a Farmville Republican, hopes to win his eighth congressional term. Jones, a 1966 graduate of Atlantic Christian College, served in the state House from 1983-93 as a Democrat, but he converted to the Republican Party after an unsuccessful run for the U.S. House's 1st District, a seat once held by his father of the same name. Jones was elected to Congress as part of the 1994 Republican revolution and was once one of its most hawkish members. The American Conservative Union says that Jones has voted for party agenda more than 90 percent of the time over his Congressional career. But Jones has become more moderate in recent years, speaking out against the war in Iraq and calling for a timetable for withdrawal. The ACU has only given him a 71 percent rating so far this year. His opponent, Craig Weber, is a meteorologist on WCTI (Channel 12). Weber, who has not campaigned in the Wilson County area, also ran against Jones in 2006 and received around 30 percent of the vote. The 3rd District is around 77 percent white and 16 percent black. In 2003, it included 48 percent Democrats, 35 percent Republicans and 17 percent unaffiliated. In the 2nd District, which includes all of Nash County, Bob Etheridge is running for his seventh term. Etheridge, a small businessman and part-time farmer from Lillington, began his political career as a Harnett County commissioner, then was elected to four terms in the N.C. House. The Democrat then ran for state superintendent, serving two terms, before being elected to Congress in 1996. He has two opponents: Republican Dan Mansell, a Selma construction contractor, and Libertarian Will Adkins, a Cary businessman. Neither has campaigned actively, according to their Web sites. DEMOCRATS BARACK OBAMA Born: Aug. 4, 1961 Political background: U.S. senator from Illinois, 2005-present; Illinois state senator, 1997-2005; gave keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention Other background: Attorney, author, former director of non-profits in Illinois Family: Wife, Michelle; two daughters Website: www.barackobama.com JOE BIDEN Born: Nov. 24, 1942 Political background: U.S. senator from Delaware, 1973-present; New Castle County councilman, 1970-72; presidential candidate, 1988 and 2008 Other background: Attorney, 1968-72; adjunct professor, Widener University School of Law, 1991-present Family: Wife, Jill; three adult children REPUBLICANS JOHN MCCAIN Born: Aug. 29, 1936 Political background: U.S. senator from Arizona, 1987-present; U.S. congressman, 1983-87; Director, U.S. Navy's Senate Relations Office, 1977-81 Other background: U.S. Navy officer, 1958-81. As a Navy pilot, he was shot down over North Vietnam in 1967 and held as a prisoner of war in Hanoi for 5 1/2 years. Military decorations include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross Family: Wife, Cindy; seven children; four grandchildren Website: www.johnmccain.com SARAH PALIN Born: Feb. 11, 1964 Political background: Governor of Alaska, 2006-present; Commissioner, Alaska Oil & Gas Conservation Commission, 2003-2004; Candidate for lieutenant governor, 2002; Wasilla mayor, 1996-2002; Wasilla City Council, 1992-1996 Other background: Local TV sports reporter, 1988-1989; commercial fisherman, 1989-1992 Family: Husband, Todd; five children LIBERTARIANS BOB BARR Born: Nov. 5, 1948 Political background: U.S. House, representing Georgia, 1995-2003; federal prosecutor, 1986-90 Other background: Lawyer, 1978-present; CIA employee, 1971-78 Family: Wife, Jeri; six children, four grandchildren Website: www.bobbarr2008.com WAYNE A. ROOT Born: July 20, 1961 Political background: Financial supporter of several Republican candidates throughout the country; Libertarian candidate for president, 2008 Other background: Businessman, television producer and broadcaster, professional sports handicapper Family: Wife, Debra; four children U.S. Senate REPUBLICAN ELIZABETH DOLE Born: July 29, 1936 Hometown: Salisbury Political background: U.S. Senate, 2002-present; secretary of transportation during the Reagan Administration; secretary of labor under the first President Bush. Other background: She ran the American Red Cross during the 1990s. Family: Husband, former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole Web site: www.elizabethdole.org DEMOCRAT KAY HAGAN Born: May 26, 1953 Hometown: Greensboro Political background: N.C. Senate, 1998-present; Guilford County manager of Gov. Jim Hunt's election campaigns, 1992 and 1996 Other background: Formerly worked for NationsBank (now Bank of America), then was a stay-at-home mom for 10 years Family: Husband, Chip; three adult children Web site: www.kayhagan.com LIBERTARIAN CHRISTOPHER COLE Born: Jan. 17, 1964 Hometown: Hunterville Political background: Ran unsuccessfully for N.C. House once and twice for U.S. House Other background: Has worked as a contract postal worker for 15 years Family: Single Web site: lpnc.org/2008/us-senate.php U.S. House, 1st District DEMOCRAT G.K. BUTTERFIELD Born: April 27, 1947 Hometown: Wilson Political background: U.S. House, 2004-present Other background: Lawyer; Superior Court judge, 1989-2001 and 2002-04; N.C. Supreme Court, 2001-02 Family: Two adult daughters Web site: www.gkbutterfield.com REPUBLICAN DEAN STEPHENS Born: March 30, 1945 Hometown: Colerain Political background: Making his first run for office Other background: Worked for several years in California in information systems and software consulting. He founded a computing company in Colerain five years ago Family: Single, no children Web site: www.deanstephens.com 3rd District REPUBLICAN WALTER B. JONES Born: Feb. 10, 1943 City of residence: Farmville Political background: U.S. House, 1994-present; N.C. House, 1983-1993 Other background: His father was a long-serving Democratic congressman. The younger Jones was also a Democrat but switched parties in 1994. Family: Wife, Joe Anne; an adult daughter Web site: www.walterjonesforcongress.com DEMOCRAT CRAIG WEBER Born: Oct. 3, 1948 Residence: Morehead City Political background: Unsuccessfully ran for Jones' seat in 2006 Other background: Works as a meteorologist and broadcaster for WCTI (Channel 12) Family: Wife, Amanda Jane Web site: www.weberinthehouse.com 2nd District DEMOCRAT BOB ETHERIDGE Born: Aug. 7, 1941 Hometown: Lillington Political background: U.S. House since 1996; State superintendent, 1988-1996; N.C. House, 1978-88; Harnett County commissioner, 1974-78 Other background: Small businessman and part-time farmer Family: Wife, Faye; three adult children; five grandchildren Web site: www.etheridgeforcongress.org REPUBLICAN DAN MANSELL Age: 51 Hometown: Selma Political background: Ran unsuccessfully for N.C. Senate in 1998 Other background: Works as a construction contractor Family: Wife, Crystal Web site: www.danmansell.com LIBERTARIAN WILL ADKINS Born: July 1968 Hometown: Cary Political background: First run for office Other background: Director of client services for a wireless firm Website: www.adkinsforcongress.com mshaw@wilsontimes.com | 265-7878 |
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Will Adkins said...
The reporter is factually in error regarding the following quote: "He has two opponents: Republican Dan Mansell, a Selma construction contractor, and Libertarian Will Adkins, a Cary businessman. Neither has campaigned actively, according to their Web sites.” The Libertarian Party gathered over 100,000 signatures and spent over $250K simply to get back on the ballot during this election cycle. The current system, as designed by the two dominant parties, has restricted the choices offered to voters. As a result, a majority of the funds that would have been spent on traditional campaigns have been depleted simply to give voters another option. In consideration of this fact, Adkins has been very active campaigning using non-traditional approaches; progress is shared with key supporters in a password protected section of the campaign site. He is also very active in meeting with voters in groups of a dozen or more at time and is making a real connection with those that want a real change – one different than that offered by the two big-government parties. This is evidenced by polls showing Etheridge and others in Congress having a consolidated approval rating in the single digits. As a result of his active campaigning, he has achieved Endorsements and Excellent Ratings by a number of concerned organizations. I am disappointed, but not surprised, that this article would suggest that Etheridge is the only viable candidate in-the-running. Will Adkins AdkinsForCongress.com
Monday, October 13, 2008 at 5:36 PM
The reporter is factually in error regarding the following quote: "He has two opponents: Republican Dan Mansell, a Selma construction contractor, and Libertarian Will Adkins, a Cary businessman. Neither has campaigned actively, according to their Web sites.” The Libertarian Party gathered over 100,000 signatures and spent over $250K simply to get back on the ballot during this election cycle. The current system, as designed by the two dominant parties, has restricted the choices offered to voters. As a result, a majority of the funds that would have been spent on traditional campaigns have been depleted simply to give voters another option. In consideration of this fact, Adkins has been very active campaigning using non-traditional approaches; progress is shared with key supporters in a password protected section of the campaign site. He is also very active in meeting with voters in groups of a dozen or more at time and is making a real connection with those that want a real change – one different than that offered by the two big-government parties. This is evidenced by polls showing Etheridge and others in Congress having a consolidated approval rating in the single digits. As a result of his active campaigning, he has achieved Endorsements and Excellent Ratings by a number of concerned organizations. I am disappointed, but not surprised, that this article would suggest that Etheridge is the only viable candidate in-the-running. Will Adkins AdkinsForCongress.com
Monday, October 13, 2008 at 5:36 PM
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