Friday's Internet Edition, May 09, 2008.
|
For the first time in decades, all eyes will be on North Carolinians as the Tar Heel state could play a major role in declaring this year’s Democratic presidential nomination. Sen. Barack Obama currently has a slight lead in delegates over Sen. Hillary Clinton, and North Carolina is one of the the last prizes on the way to the nomination.
Residents in the area have been able to see the presidential campaigns firsthand. Within the past two weeks, former President Bill Clinton had a rally at Davidson County Community College and his daughter Chelsea Clinton visited Lexington on Friday. Last week former Mississippi Gov. Ray Mabus visited Thomasville in support of Obama.
Sen. John McCain, who has already locked up the Republican presidential nomination, will make a visit to Wake Forest University this morning. (See Thursday’s Thomasville Times edition for extensive coverage of his visit and a story on the primary election’s winners.)
Davidson County Board of Elections Director Ruth Huneycutt said Monday she expects a large turnout of voters due to the close presidential race. Early voting, which concluded Friday, drew 5,133 of 96,073 voters in Davidson County.
Huneycutt hopes residents will keep in mind the other races.
“This is when the parties choose their candidates,” Huneycutt said. “If you want to have a say in who will run against each other, then go to the polls [today].”
Of great interest to locals, will be the Republican race of Davidson County Commissioners. Incumbent Commissioners Larry Allen, Larry Potts and Fred McClure will face off against Kenny Moore, a former commissioner, as well as newcomers Cathy Dunn and Eddie Gallimore for three seats.
An interesting Democratic race will be those hoping to contest Rep. Howard Coble’s seat in the Sixth Congressional District. Dr. Teresa Sue Bratton and Jay Ovittore, both from Greensboro, and Johnny Carter, from Summerfield, are vying to win the primary election to represent the Democratic Party in November against Coble.
Other Republican races that will be decided today will be for U.S. Senate, governor, lieutenant governor and state superintendent of public instruction. Democrats will select their nominee for U.S. Senate, U.S. House District 6, governor, lieutenant governor, state auditor, state commissioner of insurance, state commissioner of labor, state superintendent of public instruction and state treasurer.
In addition, all voters will be able to vote on two state court of appeals elections and the local Superior Court election for District 22B.
Polls will open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 pm.
Staff Writer Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 231, or ignasiak@tvilletimes.com.