For the many thousands of North Carolinians who already have cast their ballots, Election Day means only that the long campaign is finally over, the suspense about to end. They’ve already had their fun – and that’s a perfectly apt description, because it is not only fun, but also deeply satisfying to have a hand in picking our next set of national, state and local leaders.
Tomorrow, though – well, it doesn’t get any better for those of us in the world’s oldest and still strongest democratic republic. We voters impart that strength, choosing men and women whom we collectively regard as best suited to chart our paths forward.
Early voting has become popular, encouraged by candidates’ well-organized and determined “ground games.” But tomorrow is the climax, when push comes to shove, when political fortunes turn on turnout. All of us, no matter our allegiances and preferences, must hope for balloting that proceeds smoothly and accurately, with all eligible voters given every chance to make their voices heard.
Campaigns have been hard-fought and the stakes are high. North Carolina looks poised to be one of those states that will be most influential in determining whether President Obama is granted a second term or replaced by Mitt Romney. Our congressional delegation will undergo its biennial reset. The gamut of state offices to be filled sprawls across the three branches of government, and voters will weigh county-level candidates and issues as well.
For the past month, we’ve offered editorial endorsements on this page of candidates in contested races whom we believe to have the edge in constructive policies, worthy goals, useful experience, sound judgment and strong character. Those endorsements are summarized here, in the spirit of presenting one perspective as to which candidates are most qualified. There can be no substitute, however, for the wisdom expressed by voters themselves, coming together to determine the will of the majority. We hope the elections of 2012 conclude with the voice of the people coming in loud and clear.
PRESIDENT
Barack Obama (D)
GOVERNOR
Walter Dalton (D)
LT. GOVERNOR
Linda Coleman (D)
COUNCIL OF STATE
State Auditor
Beth Wood (D)
Commissioner of Agriculture
Steve Troxler (R)
Commissioner of Insurance
Wayne Goodwin (D)
Commissioner of Labor
John Brooks (D)
Secretary of State
Elaine Marshall (D)
Superintendent
of Public Instruction
June Atkinson (D)
State Treasurer
Janet Cowell (D)
U.S. HOUSE
2nd District
Renee Ellmers (R)
or Steve Wilkins (D)
4th District
David Price (D)
13th District
George Holding (R)
N.C. SUPREME COURT
Sam Ervin IV
N.C. COURT OF APPEALS
Wanda Bryant
Linda McGee
Cressie Thigpen
N.C. SENATE
District 15
Sig Hutchinson (D)
District 17
Erv Portman (D)
District 18
Doug Berger (D)
N.C. HOUSE
District 35
Lori Millberg (D)
District 36
Lisa Baker (D)
District 37
No endorsement
District 38
Yvonne Lewis Holley (D)
District 40
William ‘Watt’ Jones (D)
District 41
Tom Murry (R)
District 49
Keith Karlsson (D)
WAKE COUNTY COMMISSIONER
District 4
Caroline Sullivan (D)
District 6
Betty Lou Ward (D)
WAKE TECH BONDS
Yes
