Ross offers strong challenge to Burr

Deborah Ross, veteran legislator, former head of the state ACLU and a fighter for working people, made an impressive case in announcing her candidacy for the U.S. Senate against incumbent, two-term Republican Sen. Richard Burr. Democrat Ross called up images in her announcement of her parents’ strong family values, a teacher’s inspiration and a belief that government can serve and must serve average North Carolinians through education and two programs Republicans attack but in which she believes: Social Security and Medicare.

These are values that shaped North Carolina under former Govs. Terry Sanford and Jim Hunt, and in which millions of North Carolinians believe. If the state’s political will has been successfully manipulated by Republicans, the values of its people have not fundamentally changed. Ross will present those values now.

Burr has twice been elected to the United States Senate after 10 years in the House, and he is part of a Washington “establishment” Republicans used to attack. He now will be forced to defend a record that is not very good. As chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, he has stood for secrecy. And he has stood against all things connected to President Obama, including health care reform. But Burr has few positive alternatives, and he and other Republicans dismiss Obama’s efforts, successful efforts, to rebuild the economy and restore America’s standing in the world.

The incumbent now will have to defend what he has done and not done in Washington. A race against Ross, the likely Democratic nominee, will present voters with the clear choice they deserve.

This story was originally published October 15, 2015 at 7:30 PM with the headline "Ross offers strong challenge to Burr."