North Carolina Now; North Carolina Now Episode from 11/08/1994

The TONIGHT the Mets and the Titans the day. And the good good evening to you everyone I'm with you Kate special and I'm Mary Lou Hart shark and it is election night. The polls are closed all across North Carolina and the 94 vote has been cast. We hope all of you exercise your right to vote both nationally and here in North Carolina some of the big election night stories. Well focus on Republicans will make or fall short of the kind of gains they've been

predicting for themselves. And another question of course we'll ask is Will North Carolina's congressional delegation look different tomorrow. And will the GOP gain enough seats in the state house to unseat Democratic speaker Dan Blue. My questions will get the answers later in the evening political analysts have been saying all along that voter turnout would be a deciding factor in today's election. Some of our reporters went out today to polling places around the state to check on the turnout and to ask voters what got them out to the polls in this off year election in Charlotte for example explosive suburban growth has made significant changes in the electorate at least in certain districts. Bob Gardner reports that those new demographics appear to be a major contributing factor in today's moderate to heavy turnout for those on the off chance of as well as the defensive. Last week we reported on a state senate race in Mecklenburg County where Democratic incumbent Odom is facing a stiff challenge from Republican Brotherton in the thirty fourth senatorial district. As in many in North Carolina suburban areas new Republican voter registrations have far outdistanced

Democratic registrations and the overall Democratic majority is at an historic low. Today in that district most heavily Democratic precinct a middle class mostly black neighborhood surrounding Greenville Emmy's Zion church. Voter turnout was a prime concern. We need to stimulate the people and get them I have let them know what the issues are and what's their advantage and it's so I had reading state we do get it meaning black voters got to see his bias and by the end of the before work rush this morning 105 voters or about 5 percent of those registered had voted here. Workers say that's pretty good for an off year election. Wanted one of the precincts with the largest Republican majorities. The turnout was heavier. University City United Methodist Church is one of about one quarter of the district's 37 precincts where Republicans actually outnumber Democrats although they only have a small margin here. Voting has been extremely heavy so far at mid-morning for an off year election.

By 9:30 some 300 voters or about 10 percent of those registered had voted. This precinct is representative of several in Northeast Charlotte where new housing developments shopping centers and corporate office parks are springing out of a formerly rural landscape. A lot of the newcomers in this precinct and dozens of others like it around the state are registering and voting Republican. Many expressed concerns similar to those of Monti's holder and leaders in the movement and it may count in the beginning to let you know that attain the precincts around the Long Creek Elementary School is a rural area that's just beginning to turn suburban. Recent Republican gains have given the precinct a nearly exact balance between Democrats and Republicans. I was glad to think of that my last day. Everyone in my family of democratic how my right I found that sad about a man and then had to feel that be voting for your first time today we're excited about it.

Yes but in the Eyrie I had a tendency to vote a little more conservative this time last time. But I also had a tendency that in most negative ads I voted to go. That's people Republican or Democrat Republican or Democrat to make any difference. I'm just sick of it right. By midday no clear pattern had emerged here as to which party would end up doing the best job of getting voters to the polls. We did find that parents had several precincts who were doing a good job of getting their kids to the polls for unofficial voting. This is a project of the North Carolina chapter of Kids Voting USA which aims to teach the civic responsibility of voting to children at an early age. That's nice. Well the city of goals bar also had a higher voter turnout than expected. The estimated 30 percent of registered voters expected at the polls have been reached well before noon today. Michel Louis has the story. When it comes to voting goes viral residents appear to be as tenacious as the F-16 fighter pilots at Seymour Johnson Air Force space. Despite predictions of low voter

turnout in this election voters are making their presence known at polling places like the pinewood fire station voter turnout has been good today. We have eighteen hundred registered voters. We're looking for possibly of maybe 49 that also believes that the good weather and folks wanting to make a difference are the reasons with a better than predicted voter turnout. One of the races that is causing quite a stir in Goldsboro is the third congressional district race which pits Democratic incumbent Martin Lancaster against Republican Walter Jones Jr. voters we talked to sand their choice in this race was the most difficult. However there are some Democrats such as Harold Anderson who Beltre change was needed. I think Lancaster came on a little bit too late he really came on real strong for the farmers and the tobacco issue but I think it's two days too late for that. I chose to vote for Joe and I felt that him being out of the district wasn't a big problem. Him a poster voted for Lancaster in the previous election but feels that voting for Jones

is a vote against President Clinton's agenda which Wall Street does not agree with. Voters at the New Hope precinct we're also having a tough time making a decision. Settle it Jack Lancaster was her choice. Mark Lancaster. Why is that. I happen you know and I happen you know he's very qualified for the position. Laura best agree. I don't know there's something about Lancaster that made me feel like that he was going to do the right thing as the ballots continue to come in. One thing is certain no matter who wins or loses here the voters who cared have spoken way the best qualified man we're all women. That's right. Elizabeth Hardy visited another eastern North Carolina town and filed this report on how voters in Wilson were feeling about incumbents versus challengers. Traditionally Wilson is democrat country its governor Jim Hunt hometown on the Election Day Democrats emulate them. Jr. cast his vote at the fire

department. Why did you stick with the Democratic Party today. My better years have been under Democratic rule. The response seemed to be the exception rather than the rule. This election day I want to send a message to Washington and also to direct the state house in Raleigh. Just because I'm a registered Democrat does not mean that I will vote for Democrats down the road at Hardee's voters talk politics over breakfast. Most of the folks said they're ready to order up something different. Listen last time a time for some change. Jerry and battles the party in control has left a bad taste in her mouth going Republican and you're a registered Democrat. We need to change the country needs to change. Lower taxes better schools. We need a change. Falling all the time.

First ration with the income but seemed to be the main course. Today's election menu included congressional legislative and judicial races along with other local seats publicized from congressional races gets most voters to the polls. Watson straddles the first and second districts Democrat incumbent Eva Clayton and Republican Ted Tyler are the candidates in the first district and about the same a crowd but get rid of it will matter. Meantime in the second district Democrat Richard moron Republican David Funderburk we're in a dead heat I think is just strictly right down party lines right down party lines I think this is one of those years that you know the the my home family values have been a strong issue. I think people are very concerned about their tax dollars and how it's me and span but I know who I'm voting for and who is that richer more. Why. Well I think he's young intern. I

think he's really interested in stopping the crime in the area and I think that's real room porter to us and to our children. I think it's regrettable that both candidates have used tactics and I don't agree with him that they sling mud at each other rather than really get down and talk about the issues voters they're most concerned about budget deficits a jobs issue taxes by increasing taxes. Is there any particular issue you think that will get the black vote out today. You know I think we've become very passive passive also best describes the way some voters felt about the legislative races happening. That doesn't describe it. What about some of the other races with the legislative races around here their main concern. Not really the Australian. Why is that. I guess I don't know me personally maybe other people just feel like it doesn't really affect our life all that much.

People are sort of maybe voting against this time more than for one thing. Are voters agreed was ready for all to be over. Well the Winston-Salem Ted Harrison said the stream of photos was pretty steady at the precinct he visited. There were a few campaign workers on hand but voter turnout was better than expected. Perhaps the sunshine and warm breezes accounted for the turnout in this Winston-Salem precinct. Election officials seem particularly pleased for an off year election. This is a precinct which is home to both older voters and first timers alike the more advertising the more I knew about that person and things like that so that helped a lot. Since writing I mean normally voted for Representative Steve Neal in years past. I'm not no I am sure but right now I guess you wouldn't tell me who you vote for for Congress this time right now. A matter of fact several of our voters decided they wanted to keep their choices private.

They were willing to shed some light on what went into their decision. Oddly the campaigns especially TV campaigns to hate campaigns or attack campaigns I think are ridiculous you know let's let the station with its work on the on the issues and not attack each other. Well I've always voted in them as is a right that I intend if size until the day I die. And I want to instill in my children that that's one of their obligations when they become adults is to have a listen to the candidates. And in years past they've always promised things that they would do once they get in office and I realize that some of their hands are tied because they have to have the support of other people about the same token I still feel like there are some things they can make of the children that were gone and I just I haven't found that to be always be the case.

Case with candidates voting at Southwark elementary could be a good indicator for the strength of the district congressional candidates in the past this is been a precinct that has shown the voters to lean toward most Republican candidates at the same time they have favored Democrat Steve Neal. For instance the presidential year 1992 saw George Bush play in the precinct by 30 votes. But at the same time Steve Neal won the precinct by 16 votes. In 1990 Senator Jesse Helms claimed a narrow three vote margin in the district. But neither won the precinct by 237 votes. And four years ago when George Bush won the voting district by nearly 200 votes Steve Neil's victory was a little over one hundred twenty five votes in this precinct and at least one voter in our unscientific sample noted a change in his attitude since he last voted for Steve Neal I voted for Richard Burr that person for the job he got and the last chance to vote for whoever has to the best that is it takes money.

Coming up the latest election returns. Michel Louis will be joined by John basin to bring you up to the minute results of today's congressional judicial and legislative elections. And Andre and I will see you tomorrow night at 7:30. Don't go away. Good evening I'm Michel. And I'm John days and thanks for joining us tonight for this update of election results will be recapping the 12th Congressional races along with judicial contests. Michel it's been a big night for the Republicans across the country and particularly in the marijuana. In 1992 North Carolina sent eight Democrats and four Republicans to Washington. Right now if the Democrats are lucky it's going to be four Democrats and eight Republicans a real turnaround gained by the GOP winning some races that people didn't think they were going to win in addition to some close ones that they were given a chance in. And at this point it appears that everything has totally flip flop from where it was a sickly four to eight eight four and up to Democratic incumbents who one who

is thought relatively safe and the other who was known to be in a tough race have gone down and they're two of the switchover one of whom was predicted to win and apparently has not won tonight. Absolutely a shocker for tonight. Those two Democratic Republic incumbents who lost David Price in the fourth Martin Lancaster also will get to him in just a moment. OK so John let's go with the congressional results beginning in the first district. Now the first district is located in eastern North Carolina. It's one of the state's two minority districts where blacks make up a majority of the district population. The first is largely rural. It takes an all or part of 28 counties. Now it appears that incumbent Democrat Eva Clayton has won re-election in the first district with 66 percent of the precincts reporting Clayton has 61 percent of the vote. Her Republican opponent Ted Tyler drew thirty nine percent of the votes cast. Now this is a rematch for these two candidates. And 1992 Clayton's room 67 percent of the vote to Tylers 31 percent. The remaining votes went to a third

party candidate. And Mitch as you said this is one of North Carolina's minority districts that means it set up so that a majority of the voters in the district are African-Americans and Eva Clayton won easily two years ago from her first run in this seat and she has won easily again today one of the few bright spots for the Democrats to hit it has been a controversial district. Yes and I've been in court but so far the courts have upheld North Carolina's two minority districts and we'll get to the other one toward the end of our numbers here though with Carolina's second congressional district straddles the Piedmont and coastal plain region. Its largest population center is Durham now in the second incumbent Democrat Tim Valentine chose not to run for re-election and Democrat Richard Moore and Republican David Funderburk waged a fierce battle for this open seat. And David Funderburk has defeated Richard Moore and will go to Washington to represent North Carolina's second congressional district with 85 percent of the precincts reporting Funderburk has 55 percent of the vote. More Drew 45 percent of the votes cast in the district Funderburk is a former Campbell University professor and former U.S. ambassador to Romania. North Carolina voters may remember that

he lost his bid to get the GOP Senate nomination a few years back Jim Broyhill won that race eventually lost to Terry Sanford. But tonight Funderburk wins against Richard Moore a former federal prosecutor and a member former member of the North Carolina house. It was really interesting around 10:15 this evening that Moore decided that he felt that Funderburk had won and this was a very very hard fought race a lot of negative ads on both sides and probably turned off a lot of voters. But in the long run turned off apparently more voters to Richard Moore because David Frum has pulled out the win. Yes. Now let's move on to the third district now the third district covers a majority of North Carolina's coastal regions. The district's largest population center is Goldsboro and company Democrat Martin Lancaster who was trying to hang on to his seat in the third district with Republican challenger Walter Jones Jr. making a strong run against him. And now it appears that with the results we have now Walter Jones is leading by 52 percent over the incumbent Martin

Lancaster. And both of these candidates are former members of the North Carolina. House of Representatives Jones is a former Democrat. His father represented the old First Congressional District for decades. Walter Jones is going to be the first congressman apparently it looks like he is one who can be the first congressman North County history ever to be elected. Not living in the district that he's going to represent there is no mandatory requirement that you live in the district that you run in and his house is about 14 miles from that district. But the voters have not that have not held that or his party change against him. He has he has defeated the incumbent Martin Lancaster and it was thought to be a tight race. And Jones apparently is taking. I have spoken to some people in Goldsboro and as you said it appeared to me when I was talking to them they really didn't feel anything odd about him being in another area. Right. And they did and sometimes switching parties will be held against you but not in this case doesn't appear to be. Well in the 4th District now the fourth lies in the eastern Piedmont of North

Carolina. The district's largest population center is Raleigh. Incumbent David incumbent Democrat David Price was attempting to hang on to his seat in the fourth district. Former Police Chief Fred Heineman challenged price and this election although there are number say 50/50 the knot is going to hide him in the former police chief. This is an upset maybe one of the bigger upsets that we have in North Carolina tonight price was thought to be fairly safe in this district. A lot of people felt like he was a good match with the district. But the very strong Republican conservative tide apparently has overtaken David Price. And again this would be the maybe the upset of the night in North Carolina and especially a newcomer to the congressional race that is an upset never as far as I know had run for elected office before at all. And Price apparently has gone down to defeat. Let's take a look at the Fifth District now the fifth district lies mostly along the North Carolina Virginia border the district's largest population center is Winston-Salem. Incumbent Democrat Steve Neal decided not to seek re-election and Democrat Sandy sands and Republican Richard Burr squared off to

compete for the open seat. And as we see. Once again the Republicans while Richard Burr rather has 58 percent of the vote and he has captured the seat by defeating Sandy sands tonight. And that was with 73. Well 70 percent of the precincts reporting Sandy sands received 42 percent of the votes cast in that district. In 1992 Steve Neal defeated Byrd by capturing 53 percent of the votes to birds 46 percent. A third party candidate got the rest of the votes that year. Now Burr has not held elected office before and Sens is a former state senator U.S.A. and served in the state Senate for a number of terms. I thought he had good political footing to make a run for Steve Niel seat but Richard Burr making his second attempt in that district has come through and apparently will go to Washington to represent the folks in the well in the Sixth District. In the midst of all these hotly contested races one North Carolina congressman had it easy this year incumbent Republican Howard Coble was unopposed so Coble has been

reelected and will return to Washington and he's able to sit back and not put his feet up on the coffee table and watch everybody else sweat but Howard Coble hasn't sweated since the filing date closed and he didn't have any opposition from the Democrats. One of the few one of the very few He's winning tonight. Moving ahead to the 7th District now the seventh district is located in the southeast corner of the state and the coastal plain and it's the district's largest population centers of Fayetteville and Wilmington. It takes in all the Brunswick County and parts of seven other counties. I'm a Democrat. Democrat Charlie Rose appears headed for re-election in the seventh district with a 69 percent of the precincts reporting. It appears to be a 50/50 split. But the Republican opponent Robert Anderson Well it appears that Rose will win this. This match here Rose drew 57 percent of the vote to Anderson's 41. Well let me rephrase that. That was that right two years ago. And the remaining votes went to a third party candidate that year.

This again is a rematch. ROSEN Anderson when again went head to head two years ago and Rose won easily but right now it's too close to call. This is one of the ones the Democrats certainly were hoping to hang on to. Actually if Anderson is able to defeat ROSE This will probably be even bigger a bigger upset than the price loss. Rhodes is positioning himself to possibly make a run for speaker of the House particularly if Tom Foley lost in Washington state. And obviously he will not be able to be speaker if Robert Anderson unseats him and as we say this was still too close to call. Well in the 8th district that's located in the South Central Piedmont region of North Carolina. This district's largest population center is Canalis. It takes in all of seven counties and parts of seven other counties and NDA the incumbent Democrat Bill Hefner appears headed for re-election. Excuse me this is the seventh the with 75 percent of the precincts reporting. Hefner has 51 percent to 49 percent for his Republican opponent Cheryl Morgan. In 1992 Hefner Drew 58 percent of the vote to Republican corporates. Thirty seven

percent remaining votes that year went to the third district once again. This is the eight not the seven that and Bill Hefner also thought say that one's closer and again they were Democrats hoping to hold on to that seat that eight and four is looking tentative right now they'll be lucky to hold the eight and four Definitely. Now in the ninth district lines in the southern Piedmont region of the state Charlotte dominates the district. Most of the city is in the ninth Republican incumbent Alex McMillan decided not to seek re-election this year so this was an open seat. But it appears that it will stay a Republican seat as former Charlotte mayor Sue Myrick has received 66 percent of the vote and has won in that district. This is Rory Blake's second straight loss in the ninth in 1992 McMillan defeated Blake 66 sounds familiar 66 percent to 33 percent this is a heavily Republican district and has been for a long time. DG Martin made a couple of runs at Alex McMillan a few years back and came very close and

one of the elections but couldn't pull it off McMillan finally decided to retire. And former Charlotte mayor Sue Myrick has stepped in and has continued the Republican trend in this district which again very heavily Republican and probably will stay that way despite Mr. Blake's efforts. Now two elections in a row. Yes. Well the 10th District is in the middle of the western end of the state. The district's largest population center is hickory the 10th District is the only district where more voters are registered Republicans than Democrats. And incumbent Republican Cass Ballenger has won re-election in the 10th District with 69 percent of the precincts reporting. Ballenger has a 73 773 percent of the vote his Democratic opponent Robert Avery Drew just 27 percent of the votes cast in this district two years ago Ballenger garnered 63 percent a vote to 34 percent for his Democratic challenger. And again that year the remaining votes went to a third party candidate. Ballenger wins easily easily. On to the 11th District now it's located in mountainous western North Carolina bordering on Tennessee Georgia and South

Carolina. The district's largest population center is Asheville incumbent Republican Charles Taylor and Democratic challenger Maggie Lauder waged a tough campaign for this seat. But it appears that once again the Republicans have it once again. Charles Taylor 62 percent of the vote and it appears that he's going to Washington over Maggie Lauder. Now Taylor first won the seat in an extremely close race in 1998 and held on with another tight win in 1992. That was another one the Democrats thought they might get but didn't. Now in the 12th district we're going to show you this one it's the black line that goes right down the middle of the state it stretches from Durham to Charlotte and on to gas don't you. It's one of the state's two minority districts where blacks make up a majority of the district's population. The 12th district is urban gathering in black neighborhoods along the city's in its path. Incumbent Democrat Mel Watt has won re-election in the 12th district with 48 percent of the precincts reporting what has 63 percent of the vote. His Republican opponent Joe Martino drew thirty seven percent of the votes cast in this district. White won easily in 1992 as

well. So once again if the Democrats hold all of the seats that they're hoping to hold on to it's going to be four Democrats and eight Republicans which is a complete reversal of what we had in Washington two years ago. And once again here is what North Carolina's congressional delegation we're going to move to handle today. As you know we're just one resident now in the judicial races it looks as if Republican I've ever been late will have a seat on the state supreme court in the next term. With thirty one percent of the votes are precincts reporting he had 56 percent while incumbent Democrat Sarah Parker had 44 percent. And in the other race for Associate Justice Republican Robert or is leading. Again 31 percent of the precincts reporting or had 58 two percent to Democrat James Fuller 42 percent so it looks like the Republicans headed to victory in both of those races in the court of appeals Rice's challenger Mark Martin apparently will defeat Elizabeth McCracken he has a lead there. And Ralph Walker leading sindoor Thompson in the other court of appeals race so Republicans are doing well across the board tonight in both congressional and judicial races.

Probably well in the legislative races as well. But we don't have those numbers in yet we won't know till tomorrow. Oh and he thinks John completes our election update and thanks for joining us for the campaign 94 update. Tune in to North Carolina now tomorrow night at 7:30 for more results of tonight's Voting and analysis of the results. That's all for now. I'm Michel Louis. And I'm John they say good night.