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Wednesday, April 30, 2008, 9:42 AM
Vying for state's second top post By Matt Shaw | Daily Times Staff Writer Eight people are running for lieutenant governor in next week's primary elections. How many other North Carolinians are paying attention is anyone's guess. A poll released Tuesday of likely Republican voters found that "Undecided" has more than twice the support (51 percent) of N.C. Sen. Robert Pittenger, the Republican front-runner with 25 percent. No other GOP candidate had more than 10 percent. The poll, conducted this weekend by Public Policy Polling of Raleigh, also found that 33 percent of people who have already voted say they're undecided in the race. But at least there's poll data, which doesn't seem to exist in the Democratic race. That's not much respect for the state's second office. As State Sen. Walter Dalton, one of the Democrat candidates, said in Wilson earlier this year, "In a heartbeat, you step into the governor's seat, and you're going to need someone who can step up in a crisis situation." North Carolina created the office of lieutenant governor in 1868, and five times that person has had to step into the office of governor after the death, resignation and one impeachment of the previous officeholder. The last was Luther Hodges in 1953. The office only had one duty -- presiding over the N.C. Senate -- until 1970. It was only a part-time position then.
The lieutenant governor is president of the N.C. Senate and influences debate there. In case of a tie, the lieutenant governor votes. For example, Bev Perdue cast the vote that created the N.C. Education Lottery. It is a four-year position, with a second term possible. mshaw@wilsontimes.com | 265-7878
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North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Candidates
DEMOCRATS
DAN BEESE Born: Dec. 28, 1954 Hometown: Winston-Salem Political background: Winston-Salem councilman, 2001-present; ran unsuccessfully for N.C. House, 1998 Other background: A private attorney, he works primarily for private nonprofits, including the Conservation Council, Planned Parenthood and others. Family: Wife, Kay House Web site: ww.danbeese2008.org
WALTER DALTON Born: May 21, 1949 Hometown: Rutherfordton Political background: N.C. Senate, 1996-present Other background: An attorney in general practice Family: Wife, Lucille; two children Web site: www.walterdalton.org
HAMPTON DELLINGER Born: April 30, 1967 Hometown: Durham Political background: Legal counsel for Gov. Mike Easley, 2001-2003; Deputy N.C. attorney general, 1996-2001. Other background: An attorney with Womble Carlyle Sandridge and Rice Family: Wife, Jolynn; two children Web site: www.hdforltgov.com
PAT SMATHERS Born: Jan. 8, 1954 Hometown: Canton Political background: Canton mayor, 1999-present; ran unsuccessfully for N.C. Senate in 1990 Other background: An attorney; a N.C. National Guard retiree, in 2007, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Family: Wife, Sherry; two children Web site: www.patsmathers2008.com
REPUBLICANS
TIMOTHY COOK Born: March 14, 1969 Hometown: Browns Summit Political background: Ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 2004 and U.S. Senate in 2002. Other background: An industrial chemist Family: Two children Web site: www.cook2008.com
GREG DORITY Born: 1958 Hometown: Washington Political background: Ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 2002 and 2004 Other background: Operates Sterling Security, a private security firm Family: A daughter Web site: www.gregdorityforltgov.com
ROBERT PITTENGER Born: Aug. 15, 1948 Hometown: Charlotte Political background: N.C. Senate, 2002-present; former fundraiser for Republican candidates and causes. Other background: Owns a real estate investment firm. Family: Wife, Suzanne; four children Web site: www.robertpittenger.com
JIM SNYDER Born: June 30, 1945 Hometown: Lexington Political background: Ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 2004; one-time state legislator (1971) Other background: Attorney Family: Wife, Sandra; two daughters; six grandchildren Web site: www.joinjim08.com
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THE WILSON DAILY TIMES is running special coverage this week of the races on the May 6 ballots. The schedule is: Saturday: Presidential candidates Monday: Congressional races Tuesday: Governor Today: Lieutenant Governor Thursday: Statewide races Friday: Judicial primaries Saturday, May 1: Sales-tax referendums
To see past stories on the May 6 primary go to wilsontimes.com.
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