Voterspeak Question 7: Council of State races
Jeff Bartolet, 38, Republican: Both Roy Cooper and Bob Crumley, who are running for attorney general, appear to be capable candidates for the job. I did appreciate the way Cooper brought swift justice reversing the guilty-until-proven-guilty verdict sought by many in the Duke lacrosse player case.
In any candidate, I look for a humble person who truly grasps the fact that the government is not the answer to all our problems. True, proven leaders don’t point fingers blaming the opponent or the opponent’s party for the nation’s problems because in reality, neither of the two main parties has created all the problems nor can one person resolve them all. So I vote for those who provide obvious leadership qualities, yet understand the limits of government.
Phyllis Davis, 64, Republican: Bob Crumbley for attorney general and Steve Troxler for commissioner of agriculture. Don’t know who is opposing.
Kendall Garvin, 29, unaffiliated: I do know who is running for these various offices, although they don’t get much attention due to the many big races occurring in NC and the presidential election. I plan on deciding my vote the same way I choose other candidates, and that is by doing my research online and looking at their past performance if they held an elected office in the past. The economy is a major issue nationwide, therefore, that is probably the main issue I will focus on in determining who I will vote for.
Trevor Hamm, 25, Democrat: Honestly, I didn’t know who was running for commissioner of agriculture and I didn’t know who was challenging Roy Cooper for the attorney general spot until I looked it up. I don’t know that there are key issues that sway my decision when thinking about Council of State positions. I’m more likely to read a little about each candidate and find the one whose approach or perspective or general outlook is most similar to my own.
Mike Kelly, 60, Republican: I do know the candidates for attorney general and commissioner of agriculture. This is not a boast because I think that it indicates I really need to get a life but, then, so does my participation on this panel.
The council of state races are important as the policies of these offices affect our daily lives more directly than those at the top of the ticket. Council campaigns are given short shrift by the media; understandably so as only policy wonks wax ecstatic over debates between insurance commissioner candidates. But, the management of this office has a direct impact upon our wallets (we can only hope there’s another Jim Long lurking among the roster).
I will consider the political pedigrees and track records of the candidates before casting my vote and hope that I have paid sufficient attention.
Marlene Costa Nielsen, 67, Democrat: Candidates for state attorney general are Democratic incumbent Roy Cooper and Republican challenger Bob Crumley, who is head of a large personal injury law firm. For the past eight years Cooper has been actively prosecuting those who prey on children and the elderly.
Kate Peeples, 27, unaffiliated: I support Roy Cooper for attorney general mainly because of his work toward making North Carolina’s schools and colleges better prepared for dangerous and potentially deadly crises on campus. Personally I have seen how unprepared (mentally and physically) schools can be in these situations and it is truly frightening. The more resources I know are there to help in such a crisis, the safer I feel and the better able I am to protect my students’ safety. I also support Cooper because of his efforts in helping and supporting organizations that help women and children who are victims of domestic abuse.
I also will be voting for Suzanne Reynolds for NC Supreme Court. Someone who has been teaching, researching, and writing about our laws for as long as she has would make an exemplary, impartial supreme court judge. Reynolds has expertise in the area of legal ethics. To me, such expertise seems like exactly what any judge —most of all, a supreme court judge — should have.
Deonna Kelli Sayed, 34, Democrat: I am a bit turned off by Bob Crumley’s status on illegal immigrants as the “root” of NC’s gang problem. That problem has many dynamics and isn’t merely a migrant issue.
I’m impressed with Roy Cooper’s commitment to child pornography, methamphetamine labs (a problem in rural areas), and the sex offender database. As a parent with kids from 6-16, these issues hit home. I am impressed with his handling of the Duke lacrosse situation. His actions make sense now as more info is available about the incident. With Crumley, there’s that old issue of his law firm/campaign ad which reminds me of Old South White Boy privilege.
Mike Sigmon, 61, Republican: These are some of the factors I will use in making decisions on key state wide races:
Auditor: we need to more closely monitor the use of taxpayer money by state funded non profits. There are too many instances of shady dealings and misuse of our tax dollars. More oversight is required.
Insurance Commissioner: a new perspective is needed. This department has been reasonably well run but there is much improvement needed. The former assistant running is not the person to implement the needed changes.
Attorney General: this is another state wide office that needs change. The same party has controlled this position for 5+ decades. I shudder to think of the misdeeds swept under the rug.
Ruth Mary Weston, 54, Democrat: I’m voting for Roy Cooper and Steve Troxler. For the life of me, I can’t recall their opponents’ names (blush).
Cooper’s getting rid of payday lenders and checking on gas price gouging show me he’s watching out for the little guy. Troxler had to clean up corruption, and deserves to keep his job.
I think Wayne Goodwin will carry on Jim Long’s good work as Insurance Commissioner, keeping rates in line and not running off insurance companies.
Sorry, but “Republican Commissioner of Labor” is just an oxymoron. Haven’t decided on Auditor or Lt. Governor yet – gotta read up on them.
I accidentally met Elaine Marshall, and she impressed me as well-informed, no-nonsense, open to suggestion and personally impressive. My personal dealings with her office were handled expeditiously.
