Editorial: For U.S. Senate

On Nov. 4, North Carolina voters will head to the polls for the general election. The Daily Reflector will recommend candidates in races prior to that vote, and today focuses on the race for U.S. Senate.

Reflecting on the last 30 years of U.S. senators from North Carolina, one is struck by the contrast between the two seats. Since Jesse Helms won election to that chamber in 1972, eight men have held the other seat, currently occupied by U.S. Sen. Richard Burr.

Helms retired in 2002, and North Carolina voters sent Elizabeth Dole to the U.S. Senate. Six years later she has returned, seeking another term. And voters must decide if they prefer the stability offered by Dole or if they intend to make a change offered by her opponents.

Dole, a Republican, is opposed by N.C. Sen. Kay Hagan, the Democratic candidate, and Libertarian Christopher Cole.

Most are familiar with Dole, the experienced public servant and Salisbury native. She was the first woman named secretary of transportation and is the former head of the American Red Cross. She entered the Senate with tremendous promise to be a strong voice for North Carolina

In eastern North Carolina, tobacco growers and quota holders should be grateful to Dole for her work in securing the $10 billion tobacco buyout in 2004. With the industry at risk of collapse and farm families fearing bankruptcy, the senator did well to champion the legislation that helped move the local economy away from the golden leaf.

However, area residents cannot forget the lack of similar urgency shown by Dole when the U.S. Navy intended to build an outlying landing field in rural Washington and Beaufort counties. The project was an economic and environmental disaster on delivery, but it took years of protest and litigation by local landowners before Dole stepped in to help. Her tardiness in that fight cannot be overlooked.

Ultimately, Dole has had ample opportunity to speak out for this state, to fight for its residents and to make the tough decisions to help North Carolina and the country. Too often, she has been missing in action, and voters are right to consider their alternatives.

Since 1998, Hagan has represented central Guilford County in the state Senate, where she served as chairman of the Budget Committee. She brings experience to this race that lacks a national profile, but aptly demonstrates her comfort with the legislative process and the capable leadership she brings to it.

Hagan is a newcomer who was recruited to run rather than doing so on her own initiative. She does dodge the occasional question and provide vague answers when she would be best served by admitting additional consideration might be needed. A recent Dole television advertisement about Hagan's reluctance to take firm stands on important issues targets that drawback.

However, she has thoughtful ideas on the issues affecting the nation, the state and this region — on renewable energy, rural economic development, the need for a thoughtful foreign policy and fiscal discipline in Washington. Her views are straightforward and sound.

Hagan's determination to lead, her intelligence and a firm resolve to work on behalf of this state more than overshadow those shortcomings. She represents the type of active, responsive senator North Carolina needs. Voters should select her with confidence.