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.
Today, the lieutenant governor is also a member of the governor's Council of State; serves on the State Board of Education, the N.C. Board of Community Colleges, the Board of Economic Development and the North Carolina Capitol Planning Commission; and makes appointments to various state boards and commissions.
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.