Pam's Picks: Political Candidate Endorsements and Discussion

2010 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ELECTIONS
for Watauga County, NC
MAY 4TH

IMPORTANT

NOTE to Unaffiliated Voters: In primary elections, unaffiliated voters have the choice of voting either a Democratic or Republican ballot. Unaffiliated voters cannot vote both Democratic and Republican primary ballots.

NOTE to New River 1 Precinct Voters: Your polling location has changed. On election day, you no longer vote at Watauga County High School. You now vote at the Boone Town Council Chambers on Blowing Rock Road.

HOW I WILL CAST MY DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY BALLOT:

(We've come a long way, ladies. It's almost all women this year!)

US SENATE (you may pick one):
Elaine Marshall

CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT (you may pick one):
Diane Cornett Deal

COURT OF APPEALS, Race #1 (you may pick one):
Jane Gray

COURT OF APPEALS, Race #2 (you may pick one):
Leto Copeley

SCHOOL BOARD (you may pick THREE):
Charlie Wallin
Marsha Walpole
Alan Utter (John Welch an equally good choice--see explanation here)

The Disclaimer: What is Pam's Picks?
“Pam’s Picks” is simply one person’s opinion about the upcoming election races. I am a Watauga County resident and have long held interest in local politics. I have researched candidate campaign platforms and records where available and sent questionnaires to school board candidates. I have supplied candidate web site references below where available. For additional information, you can follow the provided links or contact candidates directly with your questions.

What's in Pam's Picks?
Below you will find: general voting information (when and where) and information on candidates whose names will appear on the Democratic primary ballot (the candidates and races are presented in the order they will appear on your ballot). Even though School Board and Judges elections are non-partisan races (meaning candidates do not run under a political party label), I have provided the party affiliation of the candidates.

SHORTCUTS to The Information On This Site:
Click here for voting information (where and when you vote and who can vote this ballot).
Click here to see my sources for candidate information.
Click here to see the School Board Candidate Questionnaire.
Click here to read an explanation of my endorsement for US SENATE.
Click here to read an explanation of my endorsements for SCHOOL BOARD.
Click here to read individual candidate profiles for US SENATE.
Click here to read individual candidate profiles for CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT.
Click here to read individual candidate profiles for SCHOOL BOARD.
Click here to read individual candidate profiles for COURT OF APPEALS, Race #1 candidates(presented in ballot order).
Click here to read individual candidate profiles for COURT OF APPEALS, Race #2 candidates(presented in ballot order).

VOTING INFORMATION
Who Can Vote this ballot?: All registered Democrats and Unaffiliated voters who reside within Watauga County. This includes ASU students who live in dormitories on campus as well as those who live in the county in off-campus housing. Registered Republicans cannot vote this ballot.

When and Where to Vote: Primary election Day proper is Tuesday, May 4th, BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THEN TO VOTE! Early “one-stop voting” is available in 3 locations this year at varying hours and dates:

The Watauga County Board of Elections (inside the Courthouse)
Thursday, April 15 (weekdays from 8AM-5PM) - Saturday, May 1st (8AM-1PM)

The Agricultural Conference Center
Thursday, April 15 (weekdays from 10AM-5PM) - Saturday, May 1st (8AM-1PM)

The Multi-Cultural Center in ASU's Student Union (Across from CrossRoads coffee shop)
Monday, April 19 - Friday, April 30 (10AM-5PM)

Not Registered to Vote?: You can now “Same Day Register and Vote.” During early one-stop voting ONLY, you can both register and vote at the same time. YOU CANNOT SAME-DAY REGISTER ON ELECTION DAY PROPER. To register and same-day vote, you will need to present identification that shows proof of Watauga County residency (i.e., one or more of the following: a driver’s license with a local address, a document from ASU showing current name and address --pink piece of paper that lists your dorm, a lease agreement, a paycheck stub, a bank statement, or a utility bill in your name that includes a local address). If you are a student, it’s a good idea to take your ASU Student ID as well.

If you vote on Election Day, where do you vote?”:
Bald Mountain: Todd Fire Department
Beaver Dam: Beaver Dam Fire Department
Blowing Rock: Blowing Rock Town Hall
Blue Ridge: Laurel Fork Baptist Church
Boone 1:  Watauga County Administration Building, beside the Courthouse
Boone 2:  ASU Student Union, Blue Ridge Ballroom
Boone 3:  Farthing Auditorium
Brushy Fork: Oak Grove Baptist Church
Cove Creek: Western Watauga Community Center
Elk: Stewart Simmons Fire Department
Laurel Creek: Cove Creek Fire Department
Meat Camp: Green Valley Elementary School
New River 1: Boone Town Hall on Blowing Rock Road
New River 2:  Three Forks Baptist Association
New River 3:  National Guard Armory
North Fork: Edgar Eller's Garage
Shawneehaw: Matney Community Center
Stony Fork: Deep Gap Fire Department
Watauga: Foscoe Fire Department
Beech Mountain: Beech Mountain Fire Department

Polls are open on Election Day, May 4th, from 6:30AM-7:30PM.

Need More Information?”: Call the Watauga County Board of Elections at 265-8061.

CANDIDATE INFORMATION SOURCES:
Information for my candidate discussions below come from candidate websites, newspaper articles (linked); national, state and local blogs (linked); candidates' facebook pages where available (linked); and responses to a questionnaire I sent to all school board candidates on March 25th.

US SENATE ENDORSEMENT:

North Carolina Democrats have a real shot at defeating incumbent Republican US Senator Richard Burr in November. The most recent Public Policy Poll at the time of this writing was made public March 17th. It showed Burr at a 35% overall approval rating (37 percent approval among unaffiliated voters). Any incumbent under 50% is considered to be in serious trouble.

Burr continues to lead his likely Democratic opponents but only because he has better name recognition: Burr holds a 41-36 advantage over Elaine Marshall and 43-32 over both Cal Cunningham and Kenneth Lewis. The poll notes, "Burr's early leads are similar to what Elizabeth Dole had against Kay Hagan two years ago. Hagan polled well behind initially because she was not well known, and the Democratic candidates this year are no different. 71% of voters have no opinion about Elaine Marshall, 85% are ambivalent toward Kenneth Lewis, and Cal Cunningham is an unknown to 86%."

I am supporting Elaine Marshall in this primary without reservation. There are several reasons for my endorsement. For one thing, I've known Marshall personally for a long time. She's a progressive you can count on and doesn't hedge on her opinions or actions. I am sick and tired of working for candidates who talk the progressive talk to get elected, but don't walk the progressive walk once elected. In other words, I'm done working for blue dog democrats, and I know for sure that there is no "blue dog" in Elaine Marshall. Marshall is genuine, hard-working, and has a record to prove her progressive bonafides.

As always, there are other good Democrats in this primary.

I have never met Ken Lewis, but the writing on his web site blog made my heart sing. Every. Single. Word. Of. It.

Even the most casual observer of Washington today knows that the U.S. Senate has drifted far from the founders’ original intent. Rather than serving the long-term, common interests of the American people, the Senate now focuses on narrow, short-term partisan gain. Filibuster abuse is only a symptom of a much larger problem. The United States Senate fundamentally is broken. And unless it changes, the Senate cannot fulfill its crucial role in our democracy. I am running for the U.S. Senate not to occupy a seat in a broken institution. I am running to bring change to the Senate.

Regardless of what shakes out for Lewis in this primary, I hope to see (and hear) a lot more from him in future years.

Marshall's closest competitor is viewed in most circles to be Cal Cunningham. Cunningham is an appealing, energetic young candidate. He has raised significantly more money for his campaign than any of the other candidates, and he has brought Frank Eaton, a very talented North Carolina videographer, into his campaign for some really sharp and creative YouTube and other get-to-knows.

I have met and like Cunningham. But here's the thing. When asked about his support for a public option in the health care bill, Cunningham hedged. Cunningham also supports the troop surge in Afghanistan. In a Roll Call article, past NC Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Meek said. "He's (Cunningham's) perceived as being a little bit more liberal than, say, Mike McIntyre and Heath Shuler." Shuler and McIntyre are two of the most conservative Democrats in Washington--both Blue Dogs. Shuler has supported only 24% of a slate of progressive policies in the 111th Congress. McIntyre has supported only 28% of a slate of progressive policies. Recently, both Shuler and McIntyre voted against the health care bill, and McIntyre just signed on to voting for a full repeal of it.

Some Cunningham supporters tell me Meek is wrong. Let's hope so, but early signs aren't encouraging.

For example, Cunningham worked hard to enlist union support, and received it after he assured them he supported the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). On March 26th, Cunningham also told progressive DailyKos readers he supported EFCA. Cunningham has now, a few days later and after receiving labor endorsement, changed course to oppose EFCA.

But my biggest issue with Cunningham is that the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) brought him into and is pushing for him in this Democratic primary race. Washington Democrats are using their connections to help open doors to well-heeled and powerful financial donors and have been providing Cunningham advice and access to money to defeat other Democrats in the primary. The result is that Cunningham is running a centrist and very cautious race and is looking for heavy support from Democratic Washington insiders.

Cunningham has denied he was promised anything from the DSCC to enter the race but sources within his own campaign indicate otherwise. President Obama and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) both refused to take money from lobbyists in the 2008 cycle, and the DNC is sticking by the policy this go-around. But while the DSCC smacks around lobbyists and corporate types in public, it eagerly takes their cash behind closed doors. In a February 9 article, CQ Politics wrote this:

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, lobbyists, political action committees and corporate executives continue to fill the DSCC's coffers at a brisk clip. Of the roughly $44 million raised by the DSCC this cycle, $5.3 million came from self-identified "lobbyists and lawyers," while the financial services, insurance and real estate sectors wrote checks totaling $6.1 million.

Since 2009, the DSCC has accepted $2.4 million contributions from the health care industry, $2.2 million from telecommunications and electronics interests, $900,000 from energy concerns and $2.1 million from Members and their political committees. The DSCC also took in more than $14 million last cycle from lobbyists and lawyers, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

This is the same DSCC that has anointed Cunningham as the one. How can you fight the special interests in Washington when you're taking their money? Cunningham seems to me to be a good enough guy, and he's a damn sight better than Burr, but quite frankly, I'm concerned about his strong ties to the DSCC.

Why is the DSCC getting involved in North Carolina Democratic primaries? The Washington Democrats need to butt out of our democratic primaries. We North Carolinians are fully capable of deciding for ourselves who we want to represent us in Washington. With Elaine Marshall we know for sure what voice we're sending up there. And it's not another insider.

US SENATE CANDIDATE PROFILES:

NOTE: You may choose one candidate.

Marcus W. Williams: http://www.nowweshall.com

Williams is a 57-year-old criminal defense attorney from Lumberton with over 30 years of experience in assisting the economically disadvantaged and the working poor. He describes himself as a "public interest attorney" with experience in Community Economic Development Initiatives.

Williams grew up working tobacco farms and received a degree in political science from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1975. His past experience includes, among other things, staff attorney for Southern Minnesota Regional Services; Executive Director of Legal Services of the Coastal Plains; and Assistant Public Defender in Robeson county. Since 2006, Williams was worked as a private attorney in Lumberton. Williams says he is the candidate who can best represent the "common person" and whose perspective is "based not on theory but in experience." Williams says North Carolina should help small businesses and offer incentives for new start-up businesses.

In a candidate forum, Williams said he was willing to give President Obama the "benefit of the doubt" on the war in Afghanistan. Williams supports the repeal of the "don't ask don't tell" policy on gays serving in the military; supports President Obama's proposal to overhaul the "No Child Left Behind" education program; and supports a public option in the health care bill.

Williams was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of North Carolina in 1992 and for US Senate in 2008. He has been very active in the Democratic Party in New Hanover County and was a former member of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation Advisory Committee.

Ann Worthy: http://annworthyforsenate.com/

I could not find out much information on Worthy, and her webpage is still under construction at the time of this writing. Worthy is from Gastonia and works as a supervisor for the Ferguson Branch of the Gaston Regional Library. She says she is not a professional politician and wants to "listen to the people."

Worthy is willing to give President Obama the "benefit of the doubt" on the war in Afghanistan. Worthy supports the repeal of the "don't ask don't tell" policy on gays serving in the military; supports President Obama's proposal to overhaul the "No Child Left Behind" education program; and supports a public option in the health care bill.

Elaine Marshall: http://www.elainemarshall.com/ and Elaine Marshall for US Senate on Facebook

Marshall earned her law degree from Campbell University. She served in the NC Senate from 1993-1994 and was recognized as a top legislator. Marshall is North Carolina’s Secretary of State and was the first woman elected to statewide executive office when she defeated NASCAR driver Richard Petty for the Secretary of State job.

As Secretary of State, Marshall has received recognition for her efforts to deter counterfeit goods; improve information technology; and for combating financial fraud. Her office has recovered over $340 million from major Wall Street banks for North Carolina investors and foundations. Marshall has a reputation and a record of taking on lobbyists in Raleigh and was instrumental in reforming North Carolina’s ethics laws.

Marshall lists among her top priorities: (1) financial regulatory reform with a new Consumer Protection Agency; (2) reforming the filibuster and how the Senate confirms lower-level Presidential nominees; (3) a winding down of the Afghanistan commitment; and (4) serious education reform "that would give educators a fair salary, do away with the unfunded federal mandates, and expand access to higher education that provides better trained educators."

Marshall opposes the troop surge in Afghanistan: "I'm fearful that we have taken our eye off of the ball by concentrating one particular area." Marshall supports the repeal of the "don't ask don't tell" policy on gays serving in the military; supports President Obama's proposal to overhaul the "No Child Left Behind" education program; and supports a public option in the health care bill. Marshall also supports funding a jobs program that includes tax credits for middle and lower income families, tax credits for businesses that expand their payrolls, and extension of unemployment benefits. Marshall would pay for this program through a financial transaction fee on Wall Street banks. Marshall says, "They made a mess of that bailout. They didn't put enough oversight or restrictions on the money and they didn't force banks to increase lending. I think this will be important in the election, and I will make reforming Wall Street a major issue against Burr."

Regarding Burr's anger over the passing of the health care bill, Marshall said, “Senator Burr and his Republican colleagues need to grow up. The health care vote is over, they lost and it’s time to move on to other business. This is one more example of how Washington needs people who will get things done, not people who will stand in the way.”

Ken Lewis: http://kenlewisforsenate.com/ and Kenneth Lewis on Facebook

I've never met Ken Lewis, but I am really impressed with what he lays out on his web site, especially this:

In 2008, with high hopes and high expectations, Americans voted for a President with a compelling vision of change. I was one of them, yet this year many folks are wondering what happened to the change we voted for.

In the past year the House of Representatives has passed a robust job creation bill and climate-change legislation that would have set the country on the path to a low-carbon economy and created many new jobs right here in North Carolina. It passed a comprehensive financial reform bill with an independent consumer financial protection agency, and it passed a health reform bill with a strong public-option. Each of these bills stalled in the United States Senate. The barrier to change in the country is clear. It’s the United States Senate....

Read the whole thing. It's worth every word.

Lewis hails from Winston-Salem and is the son of a Baptist minister. Lewis paid for his Duke and Harvard law school education "with loans and jobs as a dishwasher, bus driver, janitor, and a factory worker cleaning tobacco dust from machinery." For the past 24 years, Lewis has been a law partner and founded a small firm that represented start-up companies and non-profits. Among his priorities, Lewis supports (1) the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and a new jobs tax credit; (3) a teacher support program and a public school investment program; (3) an increase in federal funds for small businesses and new research and development tax credits; and (4) a Consumer Financial Protection Agency and major financial reform.

Lewis supports the repeal of the "don't ask don't tell" policy on gays serving in the military; supports President Obama's proposal to overhaul the "No Child Left Behind" education program; and supports a public option in the health care bill and says he would continue fighting for one. Regarding the war in Afghanistan, Lewis supports it "to give us one last chance to finish the job" to provide stability in the country.

Says Lewis, "We all have a stake in each other’s success. Access to good jobs, a good education, clean air and water, affordable health care, and economic dignity for those who work hard and take responsibility for their lives are the building blocks for individual success. Such success will help us rebuild and sustain a strong economy, a strong community, a strong state, and a strong nation."

Susan Harris: https://susanharrisforsenate.com

Harris is 53 years old and is from McDowell County, which she says "is a shining example of God, family and independence in a country where the fast-fix is becoming normal." She is a retired accountant and currently owns a photography business. Harris credits her aunt, a teacher, and a nun with helping her through a troubled childhood fraught with the dangers of drugs and feminism.

Harris believes "we can win the war on terror if we can outlast them as we did with the Cold War." Harris' primary focus is on the national debt. She says she would bring the experience of managing millions of dollars in a fiscally sound way to the US Senate and advocates for freezing the federal budget. She saw the 2008 financial crash coming in time to cash in her stocks, lives debt free, buys in cash only, and only shops with a list in hand. Harris does not believe in "government jobs" and says that "Our nation's budget is less than two pages and it contains words like "receipts and outlays."

Says Harris: "Professional politicians, lawyers and wealthy status seekers have been in charge for way too long. Career politicians like Richard Burr and Erskine Bowles spent 26 million dollars on a campaign for a job that pays 174K? That tells me that the job is just a status symbol for Burr."

Cal Cunningham: http://www.calfornc.com/ and Cal Cunningham on Facebook

Cunningham is from Lexington and is a former State Senator and Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves, serving a one-year Iraq tour. In addition to the Bronze Star Medal, he received the General Douglas MacArthur Award for outstanding leadership. In November 2000, Cunningham won a seat on the NC Senate. While in the Senate, Cunningham served on education committees and and as Vice Chairman of the Senate judiciary committee. In 2004, Cunningham joined the Kilpatrick Stockton law firm, handling "commercial litigation." In the State Senate, Cunningham "worked on privacy legislation, campaign reform, the patient's bill of rights, the clean smokestacks bill, class size reductions, and preservation of farmland."

Cunningham currently serves as a Governor's appointee to the Board of Trustees of the Davidson County Community College and as a member of the North Carolina Banking Commission.

Cunningham lists among his key priorities: (1) improvements to No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and an expansion of access to higher education; (2) the pursuit of policies to incentivize sustainable building and investment in clean energy technologies; (3) "greater supervision" of financial markets and a Consumer Financial Protection Agency; and (4) incentivizing new home sales and a tax cut for working families.

Cunningham supports the troop surge in Afghanistan; supports the repeal of the "don't ask don't tell" policy on gays serving in the military; and supports President Obama's proposal to overhaul the "No Child Left Behind" education program. Regarding the health care public option, "Cunningham said he wants to see the success of health care exchanges that will be set up in all 50 states in keeping premium costs under control before deciding what to do next." Cunningham pledges his full support of the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, a bill that assists service members with a chance to advance their educations and that extends housing to over 100,000 homeless veterans.

In response to Burr's support for current trade deals, Cunningham says, ""North Carolina continues to hemmorage jobs at an exponential rate. Bad policies have undermined our manufacturing base and hurt North Carolina's working families. Senator Burr has been on the wrong side of trade deals such as NAFTA and CAFTA and has voted to protect tax breaks for companies that ship American jobs overseas, including to China."

CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT: in the order candidates will appear on your ballot.

NOTE: You may choose one candidate

Tom Trexler: Vote Tom on Facebook

Trexler is a Blowing Rock native and has served for over 32 years in the Watauga County school system. He has been the beloved Principal of Cove Creek Elementary School for the past three years and plans to retire this July. He is one of the most genuine and nicest people I have ever met. Trexler has a B.A. and M.A. in health and physical education from ASU. Trexler's facebook site comments indicate he never forgets a face.

Texler describes himself as "laid back": "I just enjoy what I do. I try to find the good and the positive in everything I do and everyone I meet and work with.” Superintendent Dr. Marty Hemric says, “Tom Trexler has been an exemplary professional at Cove Creek and throughout his career. He has touched the lives of thousands of students as he fulfilled his calling in public education, and we are grateful for his service.”

Diane Cornett Deal: http://www.dianeforclerk.com/ and Diane Deal for Clerk of Court on Facebook

Deal currently owns and operates a local tree farm and vacation rental business in Watauga County. Deal was Assistant Clerk of Superior Court under Glenn Hodges and has worked in the Watauga County Clerk of Court's office for over 30 years. When Hodges retired in March 2009, Republican resident Superior Court Judge James Baker appointed his personal assistant (Wanda Howell) to the job.

Deal worked in the Clerk of Superior Court's office in various capacities: she was bookkeeper (15 years), the Clerk of Superior Criminal Court, and, later, the Clerk of Superior Civil Court. Her experience also includes work in the Estates and Special Proceedings departments. Says Deal, “The experience and knowledge I gained in my years of serving the citizens of this county instilled in me the desire to one day be elected Clerk of Court for Watauga County. I love my county and would enjoy the opportunity to give back to my county by serving as your elected Clerk of Superior Court.”

A local attorney sent me this email about Deal:

The Clerk's office has had many changes in the last few years. Many individuals with years of experience have now retired. Glenn Hodges retired and, as you probably know, Wanda Howell was appointed to fill his position. Because the Clerk's office is not just administrative, but acts in judicial capacities as well, I think most attorneys would agree that it is extremely important for the elected Clerk to have experience from within. Among the Democrat candidates, Dianne Deal is unquestionably the one with the most experience. She worked in the Clerk's office for over thirty years and in many capacities. She knows the ins-and-outs of the office. Not only is she experienced, but she is very well liked by those in the legal and the extended community. She is the type of person that answers questions and helps you with a smile on her face.

Deal is very involved in community activities and organizations, including, among others, the Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture Board, the Watauga County Farm Bureau Board (2006-2008), the NC Christmas Tree Association, the Watauga County Co-Op Extension Leadership Council, and High County Host.

Steve Combs: (no web site nor facebook site found)

Combs is currently serving his 10th year as a Watauga County School Board member (4 years as Vice Chair) and is a clerk in Boone's ABC store. Combs describes himself as a "people person" who promises to "treat all citizens with dignity and respect."

Some of Combs' past and present professional, leadership and community activities also include: membership in the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce; youth counselor; Teaching Fellows Scholarship Program Committee; Founder of his Church's Food Bank; Sunday School Teacher at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation; Watauga County Parks and Recreation Board; Watauga County JobReady Board; and Counselor for Parks and Recreation.

Combs is particularly well known as the founder of “Pumpkins for Kids Program” (Pumpkin Man Pumpkins), at one point receiving a $1,939 educational grant for Cove Creek Elementary School.

COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE, RACE #1: in the order candidates will appear on your ballot.

NOTE: You may choose one candidate

Mark E. Klass: Mark Klass for NC Court of Appeals on Facebook

Klass is from Davidson County and has been a Superior Court Judge for 11 years. He was an Assistant District Attorney from 1984 to 1986 and was in private practice from 1986 to 1998. In a news release, Klass, 52, said he is pleased to be running in a nonpartisan race. He is officially registered "Unaffiliated" but travels comfortably in Democratic circles.

In 2005, after international press attention became focused on CIA “rendition” flights for terrorism suspects that the Bush administration was shipping overseas for torture, a Lexington aircraft was implicated in one such investigative report. Turned out that Judge Mark E. Klass was the registered N.C. agent for the company. At the time, Klass was unavailable for press inquiries. In 2006, Klass, running that year for reelection as Superior Court Judge, completed a questionnaire from the N.C. Family Policy Council. On that questionnaire Klass said that Clarence Thomas was the Supreme Court justice who most closely reflected his own judicial views and said he supported a court decision that maintained homosexual couples do not have the right to adopt children.

Jane Gray: http://judgejanegray.com/ and Judge Gray on Facebook

Gray, a Democrat, is a Wake County District Court Judge. She received a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Florida, and her J.D. from Campbell University School of Law. She has served in a number of positions with the N.C. state and Wake County. bar associations, on the State Judicial Council, on the State Drug Treatment Court Advisory Council, and on the North Carolina Courts Commission. She is the current President of Altrusa, a community service organization with a focus on literacy. She is a regular volunteer at a local shelter for homeless women in Raleigh and a former board member, chair, and longtime donor to the Ronald McDonald House in Chapel Hill.

Ann Marie Calabria: http://www.calabria4judge.com/ and Re-Elect Judge Ann Marie Calabria on Facebook

Calabria is the incumbent Republican judge for this seat and filed for re-election after first announcing that she would not. Born in Pennsylvania, Calabria studied at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she earned a B.A., then at Campbell University's School of Law, where she earned a J.D. in 1983. After spending about a decade in private sole practice as well as a brief stint with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Calabria became a Wake County District Court judge in 1996, and won election to the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 2002. She is married and has three children. Judge Calabria was an unsuccessful candidate for the North Carolina Supreme Court in 2006. She is a self-described “Constitutionalist” who claims Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia as her favorite judge.

COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE, RACE #2: in the order candidates will appear on your ballot.

NOTE: You may choose one candidate

Steven Walker: http://walkerforcoa.com/

Walker is a Republican and an N.C. Supreme Court law clerk from Davidson County. He graduated from Campbell law in 2005 and has clerked on the Supreme Court for four years. I explored Walker's website, but really can't give a better impression than AdamL did over at BlueNC.

Walker’s website is filled with coded language to let you know that he is a proud member of the far right fringe. He says:

"A vote for Steven will be a vote in returning the judiciary to its proper place–not an oligarchy to rule over the people, but a safeguard of the people’s rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Here is the first sentence under “Interests”:

"Steven has been interested in firearms for a large portion of his life."

I see.

I suppose something good could come from electing Walker Texas Ranger to the Court of Appeals — maybe it would motivate the General Assembly to scrap our silly method of picking judges.

Rick Elmore: http://www.judgeelmore.com/ and Re-Elect Judge Rick Elmore on Facebook

Elmore is the incumbent Republican for this seat. He earned his undergraduate degree in 1974 from Guilford College in North Carolina, and worked for the North Carolina Department of Correction before earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from North Carolina Central University in 1982. He practiced law in Greensboro for 20 years before being elected to an eight-year term on the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 2002. He is divorced and has two children. His son, Rick Elmore Jr., currently attends North Carolina Central University School of Law. Elmore has made the news dissenting in some high-profile cases before the Court of Appeals, including a case about whether felons could be legally denied firearms and a suit challenging the Sec. of the Treasury’s decision to keep state pension fund investments secret.

Leto Copeley: http://letoforjudge.com/ and Leto Copeley on Facebook

Copeley is a Democrat and an Orange County attorney. She says that she learned about service from her doctor father when she joined him on his visits to the poorest in their town. After his death when Leto was young, she endured some of the hardships she had witnessed. She put herself through college, graduating summa cum laude, earned her J.D. from Harvard in 1983, and clerked for the Honorable James McMillan in Charlotte. Like her father, she has devoted her career to working for those who most need her help, handling workers’ compensation, civil litigation, employment, civil rights, family and juvenile law, and domestic violence cases. She has worked for Legal Aid (and has served on its Board) and in private practice. She is experienced at the trial and appellate levels. She is included in the Best Lawyers in America and in NC Super Lawyers, where she is listed as one of the top 50 women lawyers in North Carolina. She has served as President of the NC Association of Women Attorneys.

Alton D. (Al) Bain: http://www.bainforcourtofappeals.com/

Bain is a Harnett County Democrat and a tax lawyer in a Lillington, NC, firm. He says he is one of the few attorneys in eastern North Carolina to earn the advanced LLM degree (Masters of Law) in Taxation (University of Florida, 2001). He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Duke University in 1982 where he was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. He earned his Law degree at the University of North Carolina in 1985.

SCHOOL BOARD: in the order candidates will appear on your ballot.

NOTE: You may choose up to three candidates

FURTHER NOTE: Candidates who did not respond to the questionnaire were not considered for endorsement.

Explanation of School Board Endorsement:

There are some excellent candidates running for school board this year, and it has caused me much headache having to decide which three to endorse for the primary. While I had hoped the candidates' answers to the questionnaire would make my decision easier, instead it confirmed the quality of the candidates running this year. Marsha Walpole (an incumbent) has done an outstanding job on the Board over the past two years, and I believe Charlie Wallin (a newcomer) will bring much the same philosophy and commitment to the job. The problem boiled down to whether Alan Utter or John Welch would be the better choice to get an endorsement nod. Both candidates are exceptional and qualified and either would do a great job. My final decision resulted from the fact that Alan Utter, who narrowly lost a bid for school board 4 years ago, might stand a better chance of winning in November's general election. Having said this, I continue to waffle between the two candidates and will likely end up making my final decision when I enter the voting booth. You can read Utter's full response to the questionnaire here and Welch's full response here.

I sent the following questionnaire to all school board candidates on March 25th. My endorsements are based primarily on their responses. Candidates who did not respond were not considered for endorsement:

1. Do you support or oppose changes in Watauga's school calendar? What, if any, changes do you support?

2. Do you support or oppose school-issued laptops for Watauga County students? Please explain.

3. Do you support or oppose the teaching of "intelligent design" in Watauga County schools? Please explain.

4. Do you support or oppose the charter school concept? Would you support or oppose more charter schools in Watauga County?

5. What is your position on President Obama's proposed changes to "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB)?

Charlie Wallin: Charlie Wallin for School Board on Facebook

Wallin's full answers to the questionnaire can be read here.

Wallin is a Democrat and is the Assistant Director of Food Services at ASU. Wallin has long been involved in local and statewide Democratic politics, but this is his first run for office.

Wallin says there are possible changes/adjustments to be made to the school calendar but that the Calendar Committee system of input from parents and teachers works. Wallin supports the plan to purchase school issued laptops because "our country is moving into a global economy and, in order to compete in the future, we need to provide Watauga school children with the skills and tools they need to move forward." Wallin notes, however, that we must make sure not to short change other school needs nor place an undue financial burden on working families in purchasing the laptops. Wallin opposes the teaching of "intelligent design" in Watauga County schools. He says, "The courts have ruled against “intelligent design” as a science and have held that the 1st Amendment to the Constitution ensures separation of church and state. There is a place for the teaching of creation or “intelligent design,” and that is in the church your family chooses to attend. The other place is in the home. I am a Christian and I believe in creation, but I don’t believe that the public school system is the place to force my beliefs on others." Wallin believes that while charter schools "have their place for some nontraditional students," since they are funded with taxpayer dollars, they "should be held to the same standards and practices as traditional schools." Wallin supports the changes proposed by President Obama for the "No Child Left Bhind" program: "The changes would include replacing NCLB’s pass-fail school grading system with a system that would measure individual students’ academic growth. The proposal would also judge schools not just on test scores but also on factors like attendance and graduation rates. Rewards are still in place, and well-run schools would have less federal interference." Wallin notes that the new plan would establish a goal that students would be prepared for college and a career after graduation and would go a long way towards fixing problem schools and rewarding "high achieving schools."

Marsha Walpole: Marsha Spaine Walpole on Facebook

Walpole's full answers to the questionnaire can be read here.

Walpole is a Democrat from the Cove Creek community. She and her husband are career booksellers, and she is seeking re-election to a second term on the School Board.

Walpole believes Watauga's current method of appointing a representative from each school to serve on the calendar committee is the fairest way for all interested parties (students, teachers, parents) to have input. She personally supports a calendar that allows Watauga County students to complete one semester before Christmas and supports legislation that "changes the requirements from 180 days and 1000 instructional hours to 180 days or 1000 hours to allow us more flexibility during winters like the one we just experienced." Walpole fully supports the one-to-one initiative for school laptops and notes that school systems that have provided laptops to their students "have experienced double digit increases in test scores and up to a 50% decrease in student absences." As for the teaching of "intelligent design" in Watauga County schools, Walpole says, "I feel that although the theory can be debated philosophically, historically and logically, it has no place in a biological science class. Evolution is soundly supported by scientific models." Walpole cites Watauga's Two Rivers Community School as a very good charter school and says that while some children do well in alternatives to public schools, she believes "schools should be accountable to the taxpayers that fund them, and charter schools do not have the same level of accountability." Walpole says the "No Child Left Behind" law stressed teaching the test, it "labeled schools that didn't reach an arbitrarily dictated adequate yearly progress as failing," and it stifled creativity. She says that while the program is technically federally funded, federal dollars devoted to the program are always inadequate. Walpole says it "remains to be seen whether or not yet another federal program will improve our schools," but she likes some of the changes President Obama has proposed: "[President Obama's] new plan proposes to supplement testing with other indicators of school success such as student attendance, graduation rate and classroom climate. It will measure an individual student's academic growth regardless of where they start, rather than measuring the number of students in a school that are proficient at grade level.... It also proposes to judge schools on whether or not they are closing achievement gaps between populations of students, ie. poor vs affluent, minorities, etc. It will also charge states with coming up with new ways to evaluate teachers, rather than the current NCLB certification.... One of the more promising proposals is that the new plan will give more funding to high-poverty schools that are seeing big gains in student achievement even if they don't reach an artificial benchmark.... Another goal is to have all students graduating from high school career or college ready by 2020."

R. Lee Warren: (no website nor Facebook page found)

Warren is a Republican and is current Vice Chairman of the Watauga County School Board.

John Welch: John Welch for Watauga School Board on Facebook

Welch's full answers to the questionnaire can be read here.

Welch is a Democrat who works for ASU Athletics. His wife is the school counselor at Mabel School. This is Welch's first run for office.

Welch supports the purchase of laptop computers for Watauga County students and says "Many colleges are now requiring freshmen to have a laptop and I think it is crucial that we teach our students how to engage in class using that type of technology." Welch notes that the laptops will help students in other ways, including providing "opportunities for students who want to take AP classes via NC Virtual Public School and UNCGi" and offer the ability to skype on snow days OR if out for a long term medical condition. Welch says that while he feels strongly about Christian Education, he does not believe a teacher should do what he believes is the role of the church: "Intelligent design is not part of the science standard course of study therefore teaching it in schools is not even an option. As a Sunday School teacher myself I believe that if you want your child to learn about God then you should attend church regularly and participate in Sunday School and other educational opportunities offered by your church." Welch supports the charter school concept but does not believe such schools are necessary in Watauga County because the schools here are strong: "However, if a school with a concept like the Artspace School in Swannanoa, NC, where students are given a completely arts integrated education, wanted to come to Watauga County that would be something I would consider." welch cites specific problems with the current "No Child Left Behind" program (including the fact it is mandated but not funded) and says the "Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act seeks to eliminate the feeling of failure and replace it with a feeling of success. It recognizes that every student learns at a different pace and that learning should be based on a growth model versus a proficient model."

Alan Utter: Alan Utter for Board of Education on Facebook

Utter's full answers to the questionnaire can be read here.

Utter is a Democrat and is a Professor of Health, Leisure, and Exercise at ASU. This is Utter's second run for school board.

In answer to the questionnaire, Utter says he would "carefully evaluate" any changes to the school's calendar proposed by the Calendar Committee. Utter "absolutely" supports school-issued laptops for students and says "this decision is reinforced by the State’s decision to provide internet access to the 115 school districts in North Carolina." As for teaching "intelligent design" in Watauga County schools, Utter believes discussion of intelligent design should take place outside a school setting and agrees with a legal decision by the Dover Area School District that ruled “intelligent design is not science and cannot uncouple itself from its creationist, and thus religious, antecedents, and that the school district's promotion of it therefore violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution." Utter supports, but does not want to divert public monies to, new charter schools "until improvements have been demonstrated in our county drop-out rate." Utter says he supports President Obama's "no Child Left Behind" changes overall: "One proposal would place more emphasis on academic growth rather than simply the current pass-fail approach. Schools that objectively demonstrate significant academic progress would be rewarded through increased aid through grants for which our schools must apply. This type of system is merit based and overall I support this approach. However, with that said as a school system we must be proactive and constantly strive to improve our schools and decrease our drop-out rate and increase our graduation rate. We simply can not afford to wait for the Federal Government to come into Watauga County and inform us what needs to be done with our schools."

Jim Smith: Elect Jim Smith for Watauga School Board on Facebook

Smith is a self-described "conservative Baptist" Republican who is a retired Highway patrolman currently working as a Manager at Watauga Village Apartments. Smith ran for Watauga County Sheriff a few years ago, but this is his first run for school board.

Delora H. Hodges: Delora Hodges for School Board on Facebook

Hodges is a Republican making her first run for office. Her slogan is "A Balanced Approach."

Len (Lenny) Cottom: Lenny Cottom on Facebook

Cottom's full answers to the questionnaire can be read here.

Cottom is a Democrat and is the owner of Hawksnest Resort. This is Cottom's first run for office.

Cottom supports any change in the school calendar "that makes sense" including the possibility of moving the school start date back and changes in the bus route program for snow days. Cottom says he supports "more exposure to technology for our children" but did not directly commit to a support of the school's proposed laptop program: "I would be concerned about damaged or lost computers. Has anyone asked the students or teachers if this is beneficial resource?" Cottom opposes the teaching of "intelligent design" in Watauga County schools; he believes religious teaching should remain at home and in church. Cottom supports a charter school concept overall but suggests it is important to ask why some people think a charter school is a better option than our public schools. He suggests alternative curriculum might be an option. As for President Obama's proposed changes to the "No Child Left Behind" program, Cottom believes the current emphasis placed on testing is ineffective and that accountability is an important part of the program: "I do not think we need to punish “failing” schools but allocate more resources to making them better. By punishing the school we really only punish the children."

Scott Courtney: (no website nor Facebook page found)

Courtney's full answers to the questionnaire can be read here.

Courtney is an Unaffiliated voter and is a local minister and Hospice Chaplain. This is Courtney's first run for office.

In answer to my questionnaire, Courtney said he would entertain changes to the school calendar that would "allow as much of a traditional summer break as possible." He believes summer jobs for high school students are important in helping them prepare for college and "become productive citizens." Courtney supports school-issued laptops as long as they don't put an undue financial strain on the budget. As for the teaching of "intelligent design" in Watauga schools, Courtney says, "I believe in teaching all plausible alternatives for creation and letting informed students make intelligent decisions based on a thorough examination of all possibilities." Courtney believes charter schools serve "an important niche in our community," but he was non-committal on his position regarding the specifics of President Obama's proposed changes to "No Child Left Behind": "Our standards need to be on par with the rest of the country, but our unique needs have to be considered. Federal mandates have to be obeyed, whether I agree with them personally or not. If changes must be made, then they must be implemented in such a manner to be of ultimate benefit to our students."