Party leaders express support for candidates

Caldwell County political party leaders expressed optimism about their candidates' chances in the Nov. 4 general election, the day after Tuesday's primary contests.

With control of the five-member Caldwell County Board of Commissioners up for grabs, county Democratic Party Chairwoman Beth Jones and her counterweight, Republican Party Chairman Walt Land Jr., voiced support for their contestants, along with the chosen participants in the congressional race.

According to Tuesday's unofficial results, Democratic and unaffliated voters selected Randy Church, L.C. Coonse and Barbara Weiller to be on the ticket. With Democrats Don Barrier and Ron Beane already on the board, the party has the opportunity to gain the majority for the first time since the 1980s.

Meanwhile, Republicans and independents turned out incumbents John Thuss and Faye Higgins in favor of three candidates - Clay Bollinger, Rob Bratcher and Ben Griffin. Current County Commission Chairman Herb Greene opted not to seek re-election.

Based on voter registration statistics - along with the results of the past two presidential election cycles in 2000 and 2004 - Republicans would appear to have an advantage. The county gave President George W. Bush an average of 67.5 percent of its votes in his twin victories, a total that was translated down the ballot in straight-ticket voting.

Jones said she recognizes the challenges for her party but believes voters will cross party lines to support the Democratic commission slate.

“I feel that we have three strong candidates for county commissioner,” she said. “When you are talking about Barbara Weiller, she has a lot of bi-partisan support. There were Republicans at the polls (Tuesday) standing in support of Barbara.

“The other (Democratic) candidates equally have qualities that are genuine, and they got a lot of people out to the polls.”

For Land, the challenge is bringing together a county party that has undergone an upheaval, primarily due to the 12-cent tax increase approved by the commissioners in 2007. The three candidates who won Tuesday espouse anti-tax, pro-business credentials, but they are not viewed as part of the county's current GOP hierarchy.

“I think the Republicans in the county spoke pretty forcefully for what they are looking for in their county commissioners,” Land said. “Faye and John have done a wonderful job for the county. I think right now with where oil prices are, gas prices and the economy being slow, people wanted to give businessmen the chance to manage the county budget.”

Based on comments by Thuss on Wednesday, Land may need to heal some intra-party wounds. Thuss said the county GOP has to resolve what he perceives as two competing parties within the political group.

“I know the biggest challenge is going to be the Republican Party, because (Bollinger, Bratcher and Griffin) have not been a part of the county party,” Thuss said.

Land views the situation as an opportunity to mend fences before November. He added that having outsiders from the present party establishment may be beneficial in the long run.

“I think we have three great candidates,” he said. “Maybe we need to take a step back and take a different look. We'll try to rectify (any issues) and come together as one.”

Both party leaders said they firmly support their candidates for 10th District Congress, where two-term incumbent Republican Patrick McHenry will take on Democrat Daniel Johnson. The match-up between two men in their early 30s features McHenry, an award-winning advocate of U.S. National Guard causes, while Johnson is a former U.S. Navy officer who was recognized for his heroism during an incident at sea in 1999 that resulted in the amputation of both his legs.

Noted for his strong ground organization, McHenry received 67 percent of the primary vote, easily turning back Republican challenger Lance Sigmon. Johnson had perhaps a stiffer-than-expected contest against Steve Ivester, though the final margin showed him with 60 percent of the vote.

In assessing the definitive outcome of a primary that had become particularly nasty in the closing weeks, Land said the party made the proper choice.

“I firmly believe the 10th District as a whole voted for the right man,” he said. “Congressman McHenry ran on the issues, and I feel his opponent didn't run for anything. He just ran against Congressman McHenry.”

McHenry goes into the general election with clear advantages - including the pro-Republican makeup of a district that has not elected a Democrat to the House of Representatives since 1960. He also possesses an inherent fundraising edge that typically goes with being the incumbent.

In analyzing the race, which could attract outside support from other Democrats - including 11th District Rep. Heath Shuler - Jones expects Johnson to fare well.

“We certainly understand the task ahead, but I do believe there are some significant things in our favor,” Jones said. “For one, Daniel is a fine person. He's a Navy hero, his father is a preacher, he's smart, personable and really plugged into things.

“There's more buzz about this campaign than there has been in a long time.”

State sees record turnout at polls

North Carolina's primary shattered voter turnout records, according to an Associated Press report.

More than 2.1 million people cast a ballot in Tuesday's election, and most voted in the Democratic primary that featured the historic race for the White House.

State elections chief Gary Bartlett said turnout was 50 percent for Democrats and about 23 percent for Republicans.

Overall turnout will be around 38 percent. The primary election of 1988 had the highest previous turnout at 31 percent. In 2004, turnout was 16 percent.

Bartlett said new voter registrations and close elections for both the presidency and for governor could give North Carolina a chance to break records in November's general election. In the past nine presidential election cycles dating back to 1972, turnout has ranged between 59 and 69 percent.