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Election 2008
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Thursday, May 01, 2008, 9:27 AM
Candidates seek top cabinet positions By Matt Shaw | Daily Times Staff Writer North Carolina's Council of State seats can be ballot afterthoughts, even in years when the state doesn't have hotly contested presidential and gubernatorial races. But those positions have tremendous influence over workplace safety, the food we eat, the cost of insurance and how children are educated, among other things. All eight offices will be up for grabs in November. Both parties have primary elections for the position of state superintendent of public instruction. Democrats also have choices for auditor, treasurer, labor commissioner and insurance commissioner. There are no primaries for agriculture commissioner, secretary of state or attorney general. The state superintendent of public instruction oversees the Department of Public Instruction, which has around 530 positions to serve local school districts across the state. DPI also administers around $7 billion in federal and state funding to 100,000 teachers and administrators statewide. The superintendent works at the direction of the State Board of Education. The auditor is the state's watchdog, doing regular investigations into the efficiency and performance of government programs. The insurance commissioner is responsible for the licensing and supervision of insurance companies inside the state. The department regulates insurance rates, much as the state's utilities commission does electric rates, and investigates claims of fraud. The insurance department also includes the office of the State Fire Marshal; the licensure of bail bondsmen; and handles the insuring of all state-owned properties. The labor commissioner oversees the department charged with promoting the "health, safety and general well-being" of more than 4 million workers in the state. It conducts more than 5,500 safety and health inspections, plus it investigates work-related deaths and accidents. mshaw@wilsontimes.com | 265-7878 ========================================================== STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION REPUBLICANS JOE JOHNSON Born: Feb. 2, 1982 Hometown: Tryon Political background: First run for office Other background: Formerly worked as public affairs director for Henderson County sheriff. Family: Single Web site: www.electjoejohnson.org RICHARD MORGAN Born: July 12, 1952 Hometown: Eagle Springs Political background: N.C. House, 1990-2006; unsuccessful runs for N.C. House in 1976 and insurance commissioner in 1984 Other background: He suffered a backlash from his party after brokering a deal with Democrat Jim Black to be co-speakers of the N.C. House. Family: Wife, Cindy Web site: www.richardmorgan2008.com ERIC H. SMITH Born: Sept. 14, 1974 Hometown: Reidsville Political background: He ran unsuccessfully for local office in Texas in 2002 and for county school board in 2006. Other background: He has worked as a shiitake mushroom farmer since 2002. Family: Wife, Kelly; two sons Web site: www.smithfornckids.com DEMOCRATS JUNE ST. CLAIR ATKINSON Born: Aug. 19, 1948 Hometown: Raleigh Political background: State superintendent for public instruction since 2005 Other background: She worked for four years as a teacher in Charlotte, then for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction in various positions for 27 years. Family: Husband, William Gurley Web site: www.juneatkinson.com EDDIE DAVIS Born: May 8, 1949 Hometown: Durham Political background: Making his first run for office Other background: President of the N.C. Association of Educators, 2003-present; vice president, NCAE, 2001-03; public school teacher, 1971-2001 Family: Wife, Harriette; two children Web site: www.supereddiedavis.com AUDITOR DEMOCRATS FRED AIKENS Born: 1950 Hometown: Raleigh Political background: First run for office; served as deputy secretary, N.C. Department of Correction, 1997-2006, and deputy secretary, N.C. Department of Transportation, 1993-96 Other background: Retired and working as part-time consultant; fiscal analyst for the N.C. General Assembly, 1978-1993 Family: Wife, Lucy; two adult daughters; grandson Web site: www.fredaikens.com BETH A. WOOD Born: April 22, 1954 Hometown: Raleigh Political background: First run for office Other background: She worked for 15 years in the state auditor's office, most recently as director of training. She left after announcing that she was running for auditor. Family: Single Web site: www.bethwoodcampaign.com INSURANCE COMMISSIONER DEMOCRATS WAYNE GOODWIN Born: Feb. 22, 1967 Hometown: Rockingham Political background: N.C. House, 1996-2004; ran unsuccessfully for labor commissioner, 2004 Other background: His wife, Melanie Wade Goodwin, serves in the N.C. House in his former seat. Family: Wife, Melanie; a daughter Web site: www.waynegoodwin.org DAVID C. SMITH Born: April 19, 1968 Hometown: Durham Political background: This is his first run for office. Other background: He is a Durham attorney. He formerly worked as a policy and research advisor for former Lt. Gov. Dennis Wicker. Family: Single Web site: www.electdavidsmith.com TREASURER DEMOCRATS JANET COWELL Born: July 19, 1968 Hometown: Raleigh Political background: N.C. Senate, 2005-present; Raleigh City Council, 2001-2005 Other background: Business consultant Family: Single Web site: www.cowellfortreasurer.com DAVID YOUNG Born: Nov. 11, 1959 Hometown: Asheville Political background: Buncombe County commissioner, 1992-present; board chairman, 2000-2003; ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 1998 Other background: From 1983-86, he worked for BB&T as a commercial lender, including time in Wilson. He then moved to Asheville where he bought a travel agency. He also invests in real estate. Family: Wife, Leigh; three daughters Web site: www.davidyoung2008.com MICHAEL WEISEL Born: Sept. 13, 1957 Hometown: Raleigh Political background: Ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer in 1996; chairman of the Wake County Democratic Party, 1999-2003. Other background: Attorney; has worked as a pension fund manager Family: Wife, Deborah; two daughters Web site: www.weisel2008.org LABOR COMMISSIONER DEMOCRATS ROBIN ANDERSON Hometown: Cary Political background: This is her first run for office Other background: A labor and employment attorney; currently serving as chairwoman of the State Personnel Commission Web site: www.andersonforlabor.org JOHN C. BROOKS Born: Jan. 10, 1937 Hometown: Raleigh Political background: Commissioner of Labor, 1977-1993 Other background: Staff attorney, N.C. Industrial Commission Family: Wife, Nancy; two adult children Web site: www.brookslaborcomm.com MARY FANT DONNAN Born: May 29, 1962 Hometown: Winston-Salem Political background: First run for office Other background: Works for the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation on community economic development; formerly the director of research and police at the Labor department Family: Husband, Robert; three children Web site: www.maryfantdonnan.com TY RICHARDSON Born: Jan. 14, 1950 Hometown: Middlesex Political background: This is his first run for office. Other background: He is a former Marine and employee of the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. His Web site says he is currently an "export/import entrepreneur." Family: Single Web site: www.tyrichardson.org ========================================================== 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 Wednesday: Lieutenant Governor Today: 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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