Don`t overlook July 20 primary

It’s not a good time to hold elections. It’s the middle of the summer, and a lot of people are still at the beach. We have our mind on less important things. And these are those dull primary contests. Elections are a lot more fun in November.
But for Lincoln County residents it’s no time to pass up an election. Three positions are open on the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners and seven candidates want to fill them. Among them are incumbents, Larry Craig and Tom Anderson. Voters can render a judgment, if they want, on how effective this board has been in recent years. That contest is in the GOP primary. A Democrat challenger awaits during the general election in November.
Also in the Republican primary, Lincoln County’s incumbent Sen. Jim Forrester of Stanley faces a challenge from R. B. Sloan of Mooresville. Sloan also happens to be an incumbent senator, but lost his old district when maps were redrawn. So now they fight it out to see who represents Lincoln, parts of Gaston and Catawba counties in the new district.
Voters should pay close attention to the race for the 10th District Congressional seat, now held by retiring U.S. Rep. Cass Ballenger of Hickory. This is a rare opportunity to fill an office that most closely reflects Lincoln County’s voice in Washington. Highly qualified candidates are offering in both primaries. In the GOP primary David Huffman, Sandy Lyons, Patrick McHenry and George Moretz are seeking the post. In the Democratic race John F. Cole and Anne N. Fischer are the candidates.
Statewide contests include races (on either or both ballots) for U.S. Senate, governor, lieutenant governor, commissioner of agriculture, secretary of state, superintendent of public instruction attorney general, auditor, commissioner of insurance and commissioner of labor. Gov. Mike Easley has only token opposition in the primary and is sure to be the Democratic candidate in November. He will face one of the five Republicans on the GOP primary ballot., which includes former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot. In the race for John Edwards’ U.S. Senate seat you can expect to hear a lot from well-funded campaigns. Erskine Bowles carries the Democratic banner and will likely face give U.S. Rep. Richard Burr who has competition in the primary.
Lincoln residents will get an earful of ads on the statewide races, but we would urge attention to the Board of Commissioners race because the winners determine such local issues as education funding, zoning, infrastructure and public safety.
Please take a break from your summer vacation and go to the polls on Tuesday, July 20.