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Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05
April 17, 2008 issue
Democratic Party Primary – U.S. Senate
Five Democrats are running in the primary for U.S. Senate. The winner will face Republican incumbent Elizabeth Dole on the ballot in November. To read the candidates’ issues statements, click to their websites.
Kay Hagan
Age: 54
Family: Married, three children
Residence: Born in Shelby; lives in Greensboro
Education: Bachelor’s of American studies, Florida State University; law degree, Wake Forest University
Occupation: Five terms in NC Senate; former banker, lawyer
Top issues: Budget and economy, education, energy and environment, healthcare, immigration, military and veterans, national security and Iraq, families
Duskin C. Lassiter
www.duskinlassiter4ussenate.com
Age: 37
Family: Single
Residence: Born in High Point; lives in Lexington
Education: Graduate of Andrews High School in High Point; completed classes at Guilford Technical Community College and Davidson County Community College
Occupation: Truck driver for 14 years; data processor for Lexington State Bank for 3-1/2 years
Top issues: Economy, healthcare, Iraq war, environment, education, immigration
Jim Neal
Age: 51
Family: Divorced, two children
Education: Bachelor’s in business administration, UNC-Chapel Hill; MBA, University of Chicago
Residence: Born in Greensboro; lives in Chapel Hill
Occupation: Investment adviser
Top issues: Healthcare, economic security, social security, energy independence, restoring trust in government, Iraq war, entrepreneurship in North Carolina
Howard Staley
www.campaignwindow.com/howardstaley/
Age: 52
Family: Married, three sons
Education: Doctorate in podiatric medicine, Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine (now part of Temple University); bachelor's degree in chemistry, Rutgers University
Residence: Born in Camden, N.J.; lives in Moncure
Occupation: Podiatrist
Top issues: Healthcare, debt, immigration, economic decline, housing and mortgage trouble, environment
Marcus W. Williams
Age: 54
Family: Married
Education: B.A. in political science, UNC-Chapel Hill; law degree, University of Minnesota Law School
Residence: Born in Lumberton; lives in Lumberton
Occupation: Attorney
Top issues: Education, healthcare, the environment, infrastructure, economy, war in Iraq