news-record.com

ELAINE MARSHALL

Democrat

Current office: Secretary of State.

Birth date: Nov. 18, 1945.

Birthplace: Lineboro, Md.

Lives in: Lillington.

Spouse: Bill Holdford.

Education: Bachelor of science in textiles and clothing, University of Maryland, 1968; juris doctorate, Campbell University, 1981.

Occupation: Teacher, small business owner, attorney.

Political career: N.C. Senate, 1993-94; Secretary of State, 1997-present.

Web site: www.elainemarshall.org

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Has focused on making the State Department more technology-friendly and making state databases and records more readily available to North Carolina businesses and individuals.

ON THE ISSUES

Protect Citizens: Increase consumer protection from counterfeit products, defense against scam artists, improve financial literacy.

Reform legislative lobbying rules.

Technology: Create a free, secure system of public records and create online depository for healthcare information.

TRIVIA

Marshall was the first woman elected to executive statewide office in North Carolina when she took office in 1997.

JACK SAWYER

Republican

Birth date: July 18, 1972.

Birthplace: Kinston.

Lives in: Alamance County.

Spouse: Nicole.

Education: Bachelor of arts in political science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1994; Regent University School of Law, 1998.

Political career: Has volunteered with the North Carolina and Alamance County Republican parties and political candidates since he was a student at UNC.

Web site: www.joinjack.com

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Member of the Alamance County Chamber of Commerce.

ON THE ISSUES

Cut wasteful spending: Eliminate departmental waste as identified by the John Locke Foundation.

Lobbying: Vigorously enforce N.C. Lobbying Law.

Promote business: Fight to enforce trademark laws and eliminate scam artists.

TRIVIA

Sawyer's political career began with an internship in the Washington office of former U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms.