Campaign for State Office Taxes Candidates

By Mike Hixenbaugh
Rocky Mount Telegram

Sunday, June 1, 2008

N.C. Rep. Bill Daughtridge, R-Nash, was a little surprised when fellow Republican legislator N.C. Sen. Robert Pittenger resigned his seat last week in order to focus on his campaign for Lieutenant Governor, but he said he understood the move.

It's a lot of work, after all, running a statewide political campaign from within the statehouse, Daughtridge said.

"I'm keeping busy with my obligations here (in Raleigh), but I'm still getting out there for a few events each week," said Daughtridge, who is running for N.C. State Treasurer.

Daughtridge and Pittenger are two of five lawmakers who entered the short session earlier this month with plans for higher office on their minds.

N.C. Sen. Kay Hagan, D-Guilford, is the Democratic nominee to challenge U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole in November; N.C. Sen. Janet Cowell, D-Wake, won the Democratic nomination for State Treasurer, facing Daughtridge; and N.C. Sen. Walter Dalton, D-Rutherford, will face Pittenger in the race for Lieutenant Governor.

Each of the legislators have said they are working hard to balance their campaigns with their obligations at the legislative building.

"I'm down here working as a representative, and that's taking the first priority because I'm working on some bills for the overall good of our state," Daughtridge said, adding that his aspirations to win in November have had no impact on his decision making. "My priority of working for the overall good of the state doesn't change, regardless of whether I'm a representative or the treasurer."

But running for statewide office while still serving as a legislator does mean Daughtridge and the others vying for higher offices have needed to work extra hours in recent weeks.

Daughtridge said he's hosted between two and three campaign rallies and fundraisers a week.

Hagan, who to the surprise of some analysts is in a tight race with Dole, has held more than a couple campaign events between committee meetings and has made telephone calls with reporters while driving from the statehouse to a rally.

"I think we've left rubber marks on the pavement on stretches of I-40 and I-85," Hagan press secretary Dave Hoffman said of her frequent campaign travels.

Not everyone is sure, however, that legislators can give full attention to their jobs while running a statewide campaign.

Pittenger, whose resignation clears the way for former N.C. Sen. Bob Rucho to claim his seat, said he would not have been able to give his full attention to both his campaign and his duties in Raleigh. Rucho was running unopposed in November to fill Pittenger's seat.

Dalton said earlier this week he saw no need to follow suit with his general election competition and plans to stay in his post, although both he and Hagan did step down from leadership roles on a few committees. Cowell and Daughtridge also said they plan to stay put.

Each defended themselves last week when asked if their plans to run for office would make them think twice about the legislation they introduce during the short session.

Dalton and Cowell certainly haven't shied away from sponsoring legislation that might draw ire from Republican opponents. Dalton introduced legislation totaling more than $271 million in budget amendments and Cowell cosponsored about $76 million in various spending bills.

Daughtridge, too, has stayed true to his record by cosponsoring less than $19 million in budget spending - mostly for dropout prevention initiatives. Daughtridge also introduced a bill earlier this week that would offer a major tax break for small and big businesses.

"What I stand for and what I believe in are good things for the state that aren't going to change if I'm treasurer," Daughtridge said. "I want to make sure we have the right infrastructure in place to attract businesses and good jobs. I want to ensure we are offering proper education so our children can get the best jobs possible.

"That doesn't change if I become treasurer."