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DONALD R. "DON" VAUGHAN

Democrat

Birthdate: Sept. 13, 1952.

Lives at: 902 Sunset Dr., Greensboro.

Family: Married, one child.

Education: Bachelor's degree, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1974; master's in public administration, American University, 1976; juris doctorate, Wake Forest University, 1979.
Occupation: Lawyer in private practice who works for individual clients and has served as the town attorney for Pleasant Garden. Has lobbied the General Assembly.

Political career: Served on the Greensboro City Council for seven terms, 1991-2005; lost his last re-election campaign in 2005. Has served on the N.C. State Banking Commission since 1998 and the Board of Visitors at UNCG.

Web site: www.votevaughan.com

ON THE ISSUES

What, if anything, needs to be changed in the state's annexation laws?

Vaughan says annexation was "necessary" and expressly says he opposed a moratorium on annexation. While specific abuses should be curbed, cities like Greensboro have exercised the power responsibly, he says.

Current state law restricts the number of publicly funded but privately run charter schools to 100. Should the state lift that cap?

"Charter schools have been successful in North Carolina," Vaughan says. But, he says, he has "not addressed" the issue of whether the cap ought to be raised.

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JOE WILSON

Republican

Age: 46.

Lives at: 210 W. Cornwallis Dr., Greensboro.

Family: Two children.

Education: Graduate, Northeast Guilford High School; attended Guilford Technical Community College.

Occupation: Owns a consulting firm that does development work; also works for a real estate firm.

Political career: Candidate for Greensboro City Council, 2007.

Web site: www.joewilsonforsenate.com

ON THE ISSUES

What, if anything, needs to be changed in the state's annexation laws?

Wilson says people who live in areas to be annexed should have a voice in whether they are brought into a city's corporate limits. He says there should be a mechanism by which residents who would be affected could vote or otherwise confirm or reject their annexation.

Current state law restricts the number of publicly funded but privately run charter schools to 100. Should the state lift that cap?

Wilson says he did not know enough about charter schools and their performance to say yes or no. But, he explains that having enough classroom space for Guilford County school students is a primary concern for him. "If something provides more venues for education, more possibilities, I'm probably going to be for it," he says. But he is cautious about the idea of turning over a public function to a private entity.

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