RALEIGH -- A fight between the state Democratic Party and a union over a swing congressional district got tougher Tuesday as party officials accused a group that's trying to qualify an independent candidate of misleading voters into signing petitions before a key deadline.
Party leaders contend voters in the 8th Congressional District that paid representatives of the group North Carolina First aren't explaining when they go door to door that they're trying to put another candidate on the ballot to challenge Democrat incumbent Larry Kissell. Instead, they've been saying the petition is for "better jobs," according to Andrew Whalen, the party's executive director, citing media reports and phone calls from Democrats in the district who have received knocks on their doors.
Whalen said the party would e-mail Democrats advising them that they can call county election offices and ask that their signatures be removed.
"We are trying to make sure that people are being honest with the registered voters of the 8th District," Whalen said in an interview.
North Carolina First is being funded by the Service Employees International Union and its local, the State Employees Association of North Carolina. It must turn in petitions to county election board offices in the 8th District by Thursday so the signatures can be verified. The group needs nearly 17,000 verified signatures from registered voters so Wendell Fant, who used to work in Kissell's office, can run.
'No distortion'
North Carolina First Chairman Chuck Stone said in an interview there's "been no distortion in informing people of why we're trying to create a third party and put another candidate on the ballot." He called it typical of the two major parties to try to discredit those who would try to give voters more options.
The group is unhappy with Kissell's voting record, particularly his opposition to the Democatic-penned health care legislation approved by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama. Kissell defeated GOP incumbent Robin Hayes in 2008.
"Apparently Larry Kissell and the Democratic Party will do or say anything to keep voters from having another choice in the district," North Carolina First spokesman Greg Rideout added.
North Carolina First failed to obtain the 85,000 signatures it needed to become an official new political party in North Carolina this year so it could field candidates in at least two other congressional races. The group decided instead to focus on collecting signatures to help Fant become a candidate in the 8th District against Kissell, a Republican challenger yet to be chosen, and Libertarian Thomas Hill.
Democrats were worried about a third party's ability to cut into votes for incumbents, which could lead to Republicans winning seats.
SEIU gave more than $1 million to the state Democratic Party for the 2008 elections, and the State Employees Association's political arm generally has supported Democratic candidates.
