Another Democrat dodges Dole challenge

Martin cites family in his decision

State Rep. Grier Martin of Raleigh said Friday that he had decided not to challenge Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole, joining a growing list of Democrats who have passed on the race.

Martin said he thinks that Dole can be defeated but that family considerations made the race problematic for him.

"I came to the conclusion a long time ago that Senator Dole was vulnerable," Martin said in an interview.

"After that, the sole decision was whether I could make service in the Senate work for my family," he said. "I did a lot of research." But Martin, a major in the Army Reserve, in 2002 left for service in Afghanistan, when was daughter was 6 days old.

"I missed the first six months of her life, and I'm still trying to make up for lost time," he said. "I could not make it work."

Martin, a two-term legislator, had been encouraged to run by Democrats in Raleigh and Washington, who particularly liked his military background. Martin had set a deadline for himself this week because he will begin a month of training at Fort Bragg on Monday.

Other Democrats who have been unsuccessfully courted for the race include Gov. Mike Easley, Attorney General Roy Cooper and U.S. Rep. Brad Miller.

The only announced candidate is Jim Neal, a Chapel Hill investment banker.

"I invite all Democrats, Independents and moderate Republicans to join me in working for positive change," Neal said in a statement. "Together, we can end the war in Iraq, fix our broken health care system and protect the economic security of hardworking middle-class families."

Dole campaigned Friday at the State Fair in Raleigh.