Bush's Appeal Propelled Dole, GOP

Dole defeated Democrat Erskine Bowles on Tuesday for the seat vacated by retiring Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., by the largest winning margin in a U.S. Senate race in North Carolina in 23 years.

Dole also became the first woman to be elected to represent the state in the Senate.

Jonathan Jordan, communications director for the N.C. Republican Party, said the race was a substantial victory for Dole and the GOP. "One word -- landslide," he said. "The margin was bigger than we predicted."

Dole boasts an impressive track record in Washington, having served as former President Reagan's secretary of transportation, former President Bush's labor secretary and president of the American Red Cross.

"She certainly goes to the Senate with Washington experience and knowing many of the players in the Senate," said Ferrel Guillory, director of UNC's Program on Southern Politics, Media and Public Life.

But Thad Beyle, UNC political science professor, said Dole's experience was not what gave her the edge over Bowles, former White House chief of staff during the Clinton administration.

"She was the hand-picked candidate of the White House and the national Republican committee," he said.

The Washington influence eliminated any competition's viability prior to the Sept. 10 Republican primary, Beyle said. "They eased her way into getting the nomination."

Because of the redistricting battle in the N.C. General Assembly, the state had a late primary, so the general election campaign lasted only two months. "She had a relatively easy first 10 to 12 months of her (entire) campaign," Beyle said. "(Dole) didn't really want to do debates."

Dole also benefited from visits from President Bush, he said.

Guillory said that Bush's support helped Dole win the election and that Dole, in turn, will help spread Bush's influence to North Carolina. "Dole's victory, combined with general Republican success, strengthened President Bush," he said. "She associated herself with President Bush and benefited from his high approval ratings. She ran as a Bush representative."

Beyle said Dole will be a breath of fresh air from Helms. "There will be a subtle, quiet sigh of relief from both Republicans and Democrats that she's not Jesse," he said. "She's not going to get into some of the issues Helms built his reputation on, such as segregation, racial advertising."

Guillory said Dole has a lot of work to do to become familiar with North Carolina, having spent the majority of her time in Kansas and in Washington. "She must continue learning about North Carolina to be an effective representative," he said.

When Dole heads to Washington in January, all North Carolinians will be watching their new junior senator. "We'll just have to wait and see," Beyle said. "But when she comes back to Watergate, she will be returning home."

The State & National Editor can be reached at stntdesk@unc.edu.