N.C. Board of Transportation member Louis W. Sewell and two other men were given a goal to raise $125,000 for Mike Easley's 2000 campaign for governor, according to a campaign document. But when Sewell filled out a disclosure form in 2001 that asked for the amount of money he raised, this was his answer: None

Candidates for governor weigh in

'Yes or no, should the state's major transportation issues be decided by people who are fundraisers for political campaigns? Why or why not?'

'No. The Department of Transportation should be managed by transportation infrastructure professionals and not the top political fundraisers.' -- Bill Graham, Republican, lawyer

'No ... One thing I would do is include on the board people who have expertise in transportation. We shouldn't base our decisions upon where the powerful politicians live or where the donations come from. We should base our decisions upon congestion, safety, environment and economic development.' -- Pat McCrory, Republican, Mayor of Charlotte

'No. Before this issue was grabbing headlines, I proposed we get Board of Transportation members out of the political fundraising business. My transportation reform plan works to cut politics out of decisions, reduces backroom deals and increases accountability so we can focus on building roads where they are needed, not where political insiders want them.' -- Richard Moore, Democrat, State Treasurer

'No. We all understand that the government distribution of resources is fundamentally a political issue. However, in the case of transportation we currently have a situation where politics trump common sense. Democratic leaders of this state have created a situation where resources for transportation construction and maintenance are based on politics not the priority of safely relieving traffic congestion and accommodating growth. ... Clearly, the transportation issues facing North Carolina requires nonpartisan experts at the helm.' -- Bob Orr, Republican, former state Supreme Court Justice

'No. We need to draw a line between politics and policy in all areas of government, including transportation. Appointments should be based on competence and integrity, not political contributions. We need comprehensive campaign finance reform that roots out political influence in transportation, the pension fund, and all other policy areas in state government.' -- Beverly Perdue, Democrat, Lieutenant Governor

'No ... The governor appoints the head of DOT. The governor appoints the members to the Board of Transportation and the governor has to take responsibility to make sure they conduct themselves ethically.' -- Fred Smith, Republican, State Senator

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