Bowles, Dole Cruise To Easy Victories

RALEIGH AND SALISBURY -- Democrat Erskine Bowles and Republican Elizabeth Dole will face off in one of the nation's most closely watched U.S. Senate races after defeating their opponents in Tuesday's primaries.

The Bowles-Dole race is expected to be one of the key elections in determining which party controls the U.S. Senate in 2003.

Dole crushed her competition by a wide margin, easily winning the election with 81 percent of the vote. Her closest competition came from Jim Snyder, an attorney from Lexington, who came in second with 14 percent of the vote.

Other candidates running for the Republican nomination were Venkat Challa, Timothy Cook, Ada Fisher, Jim Parker and Douglas Sellers.

In contrast, Bowles had to contend with two high-profile state politicians -- N.C. Rep. Dan Blue, D-Wake, and N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall -- and won by a narrower margin.

Bowles received almost 44 percent of the vote. Blue garnered 29 percent, and Marshall came in third with 15 percent of the vote.

Other candidates running for the Democratic nomination were Bob Ayers, Cynthia Brown, Randy Crow, David Tidwell, Duke Underwood and Albert Wiley.

After bounding onstage to U2's "Beautiful Day," Bowles requested a moment of silence in remembrance of Sept. 11.

He was joined onstage by Marshall and N.C. Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue.

Bowles said he is eager to face Dole in a debate. "I accept her offer to debate," he said.

Dole was criticized by her competitors during the primary season for not participating in any debates with her opponents.

He also raised concerns that the campaign would take a negative turn, with Dole's campaign engaging in personal attacks.

"I want to make sure it's positive and issue-oriented," Bowles said.

But the other candidates who ran for the Democratic nomination have mixed feelings about Bowles' win.

Blue emphasized that though he is out of the race, his opinions will not go away.

"Big money is a reality in politics, but it is not a reason to give up," he said. "I will continue to speak out on the issues."

He added that he is not sure whether he will endorse Bowles' campaign. Blue said he will think about important issues before making a decision.

Upon learning of her defeat, Marshall heartily thanked her supporters and pledged her support to Bowles' campaign. She emphasized the importance of getting the message out that Democrats are the best candidates to properly serve the people of North Carolina.

"This campaign has been about the people," she said. "Bowles ran a classy, issue-oriented and positive campaign. We will tell regular people that Democrats deliver."

From the Sheraton Capital Center Hotel, located on Salisbury Street in Raleigh, to the town with the same name, people across the state celebrated their candidates' successes.

About 300 people crowded in an old train depot in Salisbury to watch Dole accept the nomination. Balloons and U.S. flags adorned the room as a jazz band paused long enough to let Dole give her speech.

"The vote is in. It's my distinct honor to be your candidate for United States senator from the great state of North Carolina," she said. "I have tried to serve my country all my life, but nothing matches the honor and the joy of gaining the approval of the hard-working people of North Carolina."

Dole also announced her intentions to solicit Bowles' cooperation in a plan to cancel all paid television and newspaper advertising and instead use $2 million from each campaign to buy airtime for public debates.

She emphasized that she expects her experience in the public sector to contribute to her eventual success in the race.

"I'm about results, not rhetoric," Dole said. "My public service record reflects it."

Dole served as U.S. secretary of labor under President Reagan. She was also president of the American Red Cross.

Republican candidates who did not receive the nomination say they will fully support Dole as her campaign kicks into high gear.

Snyder said though he is disappointed by his loss, it is important for Republicans in North Carolina to band together and support Dole to ensure the party maintains its seat in the Senate.

"I called Ms. Dole ... to say congratulations and throw my support behind her," he said. "(The state) must have a Republican to win the seat.

"Now we must get together and move forward."

Dole also criticized the administration of President Clinton as a factor in the state's declining economy.

Bowles served as Clinton's chief of staff from 1996-98.

The seat Bowles and Dole will vie for is being vacated by veteran U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., who has held the position for 30 years and will retire at the end of his term.

 

Staff Writers Elyse Ashburn, Jennifer Hagin, Jennifer Samuels, Jeff Silver and Lindsey White contributed to this article. The State & National Editor can be reached at stntdesk@unc.edu.