news-record.com

TERESA SUE BRATTON

Democrat

Current office: First-time candidate.

Birthdate: 1948.

Birthplace: Nashville, Tenn.

Lives in: Greensboro.

Spouse: Gustav Blomquist.

Education: Bachelor of science, Vanderbilt University, 1970; doctorate, Vanderbilt University, 1974.

Occupation: Pediatrician and pediatric allergist.

Political career: First run for office.

Online: www.teresasuebratton.com

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Bratton retired from private practice in 2006 but continues to work at the allergy and asthma clinic for indigent children at Guilford Child Health. She is also an adjunct clinical assistant professor at the UNC School of Medicine's Department of Pediatrics. ... Bratton has testified before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on air-quality issues, served as president of the Guilford County Medical Society and the American Lung Association of North Carolina's Piedmont Chapter. She has been active in efforts to improve indoor and outdoor air quality in Guilford County and the Triad.

ON THE ISSUES

• Supports increasing the minimum wage to a living wage.
• Says the nation should invest in renewable energy as a way to help create jobs.
• Says troops should be withdrawn from Iraq as quickly as possible.
• Supports comprehensive, affordable, age-appropriate health care for every man, woman and child in America.

TRIVIA

Bratton won a three-way primary in May.

Candidate questionnaire

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

HOWARD COBLE (i)

Republican

Current office: Incumbent U.S. House member.

Birthdate: March 18, 1931.

Birthplace: Greensboro.

Lives in: Greensboro.

Spouse: None.

Education: Appalachian State University, 1949; bachelor of arts in history, Guilford County, 1958; juris doctorate, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, 1962.

Occupation: Member of U.S. Congress; formerly a lawyer.

Political career: N.C. House member 1968-70 and 1978-84; U.S. House member beginning in 1984.

Online: www.cobleforcongress.com

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

A member of the U.S. Coast Guard for 5 1/2 years of active duty and 18 years of reserve duty. His last reserve assignment was as the commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve Unit in Wilmington.

ON THE ISSUES

• Favors withdrawal from Iraq but does not want to force the administration to take specific actions.
• Largely opposes FDA regulation of tobacco products.
• Supports cost saving measures in health care but does not favor universal health care.

TRIVIA

Coble has turned down the pension offered to all congressmen, one of the few to do so.