Education, party loyalty define Price's 8 terms

Observers could sum up the local race for the 4th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives as David versus Goliath, as one candidate has amassed 26 times the amount of campaign contributions as his opponent.

But in this contest, David is Goliath - Rep. David Price, D-N.C., an eight-term congressman first elected in 1986.

With only a week remaining before Election Day, Price will be facing a relatively unknown Republican, Todd Batchelor, who has no paid campaign staff or headquarters.

Batchelor is also 30 years younger than Price and has never held public office.

But Price, the silver-haired statesman, won't be taking his opponent lightly.

"I take any opponent seriously," Price said. "He has the backing of some important Republicans in Wake County."

It's a lesson Price has learned firsthand. He was ousted in 1994 for one term during "the Republican revolution in Congress" and vowed to return stronger.

But considering that Batchelor is not well known in his district and does not have much backing, his campaign might not be taken seriously by his party.

"Candidates for the U.S. House have to get support from their party," said Jack Fleer, professor emeritus of political science at Wake Forest University. "He has been unable to provide a formidable campaign."

North Carolina's 4th District encompasses all of Orange and Durham counties and parts of Chatham and Wake counties. Price said it's a challenge to sway voters in Wake County.

"A lot of those voters vote a straight Republican ticket," Price said. "I want to continue the effort to reach out."

History has shown it is difficult for challengers to unseat a House incumbent. In prior contests, Price has garnered more than 55 percent of the vote against his opponents.

Price, a former Morehead Scholar at UNC and political science professor at Duke University, has a background his colleagues in Congress don't have. After studying politics on the pundit side of the fence, Price was inspired to use his teaching tools to his advantage.

"He is a student of the process," Fleer said. "He is a very bright person."

Price serves on the Appropriations Committee and Congress' subcommittees on Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development.

He has spent his tenure fighting for education, a hot topic because eight universities reside in his district. He spearheaded legislation that allows income tax deductions for student loans and a bill that awards scholarships to students who become teachers.

Price said he also is concerned about the coming election because foreign policy and national security issues are resonating with Americans. "This is a very big election," he said. "I take the stewardship of this privilege very seriously."

Unlike some, Price has stood by Democratic presidential candidates when they have stumped through North Carolina. "I am very much part of the team," Price said.

Price's district includes a mix of Tar Heel constituents who range from Latino immigrants and intellectuals to blue-collar workers.

Ricardo Velasquez, president of the Hispanic Democrats of North Carolina, said Price has never shied away from issues that affect the Latino population.

Price has received financial contributions from the AFL-CIO, Planned Parenthood, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Sierra Club.

How long he can hold onto his seat depends on the trust he has built with his constituents.

Fleer said voters have to ask one question when going to the polls: "Can this person represent me better than the incumbent?" he said. "I don't see it happening this time."

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.