 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
Election Coverage
- Elections Home
- U.S. Senate
- Statewide
- House - 5th
- Ashe County
- Forsyth
- Davie
- Yadkin
- Davidson
- Alleghany
- Stokes
- Surry
- Watauga
- Wilkes
Candidate Pickers
Special Coverage
Useful Sites
- North Carolina State Board of Elections
- Davidson County Board of Elections
- Davie County Board of Elections
- Forsyth County Board of Elections
- Stokes County Board of Elections
- Watauga County Board of Elections
- Yadkin County Board of Elections
- Alleghany Board of Elections
Online partner of the |
 |
| days until the 2006 Election |
Forsyth
Forsyth County Weblinks
Official County Websites
• Forsyth County Government Website
• Forsyth sample ballot (PDF)
• Contact info for Forsyth Elections Board
Featured Stories
House - Fifth District
• Contrast in the 5th
Foxx, Harrell have waged a civil campaign, but sharper rhetoric is emerging
Oct. 27, 2004
Both campaigns are saying that the other is running negative ads, although they lack the venom of those in the Republican primary. In a recent debate, Foxx accused Harrell of lacking a political philosophy. Harrell acknowledges that he prefers talking about his record to attacking his opponent.
N.C. House - 74th District
• Nearly equal division of parties in 74th promises tight race
Oct. 20, 2004
Of Forsyth County's five N.C. House districts, none is as close to being evenly matched between Democrats and Republicans as the 74th District.
Soil and Water Board
• No candidates filed for open seat on Soil And Water Board
Person with most write-in votes will win, official says
Oct. 10, 2004
No candidates filed to run for the open seat on the Forsyth County Soil and Water District Board of Supervisors. That means that the job can be filled by anybody who can persuade enough people to write his or her name on the Nov. 2 ballot.
Editorials
House - Fifth District
N.C. General Assembly
County Board, Register of Deeds, District Court Judges
Archived Coverage
•Challenger says judge sometimes too lenient
Graham says not imposing sentence in some cases
lets him exercise more control
Oct. 25, 2004
Richard Durham, a Winston-Salem lawyer, is challenging Judge William Graham for the seat he has held on Forsyth's District Court bench for eight years.
• Lawyer Will Challenge Judge For District Court Seat
Anthony Emphasizes His Life Experiences As Job Qualifications;
Roemer Stresses Importance of Law, Impartiality
Oct. 24, 2004
There's a lot of distrust in the judicial system right now, Anthony said, in part inflamed in Forsyth County by the Darryl Hunt case.
• Election Turnout Creating Big Lines
Some Early Voters Face Hourlong Waits
Oct. 23, 2004
As of late Saturday afternoon, 9,567 people had cast ballots since one-stop voting began Oct. 14 at the Forsyth County Board of Elections.
• Graham Takes Judge's Name Off Support List
Hartsfield Says Her Endorsement Would Violate Rules
Oct. 21, 2004
Judge William Graham of Forsyth District Court has agreed to remove the name of a fellow judge from a list of black lawyers who support his campaign.
• Under Pressure
Politics of perception plague judge
Oct. 17, 2004
Forsyth County District Court Judge William Graham paints himself as a guy who got caught in the crosshairs of an investigation by the state Judicial Standards Commission because of politics.
• Familiar faces in running
for 71st, 72nd N.C. House seat
Womble, Parmon focus on jobs, child-care issues
Oct. 17, 2004
Rep. Larry Womble is hoping to retain his seat for a sixth term. He is running against Libertarian Lynn Haggerty, who ran unsuccessfully against him in 2002.
• Questions surface about candidate's actual residence
Oct. 14, 2004
Questions are cropping up about the residency of Bill Whiteheart, a Republican running for a seat on the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners.
• Judge Denies Breach of Code
Complaint Politically Based, Graham Says
Oct. 13, 2004
Three weeks before his contested re-election bid, Judge William Graham of Forsyth District Court acknowledged yesterday that he is being investigated by the state's Judicial Standards Commission.
• CHANGE will work on getting out the vote
Volunteers will go door-to-door in nonpartisan effort
to inform voters about candidates' positions
Oct. 9, 2004
Candidate Profiles
- U.S. Congressional 5th District
- U.S. Congressional 12th District
- State House
- 71st District Haggerty vs. Womble
- 72nd District
- 73rd District
- 74th District Brandon vs. Folwell
- 75th District
- State Senate: District 32
- Register of Deeds
- County Commissioners
- 21st District Court Judges
- District Court Seat Anthony vs. Roemer
- District Court Seat Durham vs. Graham
Foxx, Harrell both say that health care is a priority in campaign in the 5th District
COMPILED BY THEO HELM
Voters will select a new U.S. Congressman in the 5th District on Tuesday for the first time in 10 years.
Rep. Richard Burr decided to run for Sen. John Edwards’ seat in the U.S. Senate, leaving an open House seat and drawing many candidates — especially among Republicans.
The district covers all or parts of 12 counties and stretches west from Rockingham County through suburban Forsyth County to Watauga County.
The district has been reliably Republican for the past 10 years.
State Sen. Virginia Foxx, the Republican candidate, emerged from a crowded field of eight candidates in a race that was known for its negativity.
Surry County Commissioner Jim Harrell Jr., the Democratic candidate, defeated two candidates in a much quieter Democratic primary.
The campaign between the two candidates has stayed positive — and comparatively quiet until recently.
Virginia Foxx
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Republican
Home address: 11468 Hwy. 105 South, Banner Elk
Date of birth: June 29, 1943
Education: Ed.D. in curriculum and teaching, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; M.A.C.T in sociology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; A.B. in English, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Occupation: N.C Senator, nursery and landscaping business owner, former educator
Family: Married with one daughter and two grandchildren
Political experience: Member of N.C. Senate, 1995-present; Deputy Secretary for Management in the N.C. Department of Administration, 1985-1987; Watauga County Board of Education, 1976-1988
What makes you best qualified: I am a hardworking, down-to-earth person who puts service to others above self.
I have strong values, experience as a legislator, successful business experience and experience in helping constituents. I have spent my adult life working to make our area a better place.
My record proves that I will continue to fight for our conservative values.
Top priority if elected: I pledge 100 percent effort to winning the war on terror, protecting our borders, stopping illegal aliens, and bringing home our troops as victorious champions of democracy.
In addition, I want to make health care affordable to every American through much needed reform rather than a government-sponsored program.
Jim Harrell Jr.
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Democrat
Home address: 480 Hawthorne Road, Elkin
Date of birth: Dec. 15, 1946
Education: B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1969; Doctor of Dental Surgery, Medical College of Virginia, 1973
Occupation: Dentist
Family: Wife, Barbara Hudson Harrell; sons, Jim III, Matt, Chris
Political experience: Surry County Commissioner, 1990-present, chairman, 1999-2000 (elected to 4 consecutive terms); chairman, American Dental Association Council on Governmental Affairs, 2003-04
What makes you best qualified: My leadership style is one of building consensus in order to find creative, positive solutions.
This combined with the fact that I have advocated for health-care reform in Congress for the last two years as an ADA committee chair, and my varied background in health care, business, economic development and community affairs makes me better qualified to serve.
Top priority if elected: The most important issue today is lack of affordable, quality, health care for all.
It affects young and old, individuals and businesses alike, and it is wreaking havoc with our federal, state and county budgets.
Currently there are approximately 45 million uninsured Americans, a number equal to the population of 23 states. That is unacceptable.
Fisher takes on Watt, a six-term incumbent
COMPILED BY PATRICK WILSON
U.S. Rep. Mel Watt is running for a seventh term in North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District, which stretches from Charlotte to Greensboro, and includes many neighborhoods in northern, eastern and southern Winston-Salem.
Watt has held the seat since the district was created in 1992. Dr. Ada Fisher, a Republican from Salisbury, is challenging him this year. Fisher ran for the U.S. Senate in the 2002 GOP primary, finishing fourth out of seven candidates. Elizabeth Dole won the primary and the Senate race that year.
Ada Markita Fisher
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Republican
Home address: 425 W. Horah St., Salisbury
Date of Birth: Oct. 21, 1947
Education: B.A. with secondary teacher-education certification in mathematics and science, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; M.D., University of Wisconsin at Madison; M.S. in public health, Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health
Occupation: Retired physician, occupational-health consultant on workers compensation and disability benefits, motivational speaker, poet, author, community worker
Family: Two sons
Political experience: Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education; William Ray Elementary School Local School Council (part of Chicago school-reform movement); VA Technical Advisory Group, Preservation North Carolina; previous director, current member of Rowan County Chamber of Commerce; previous board member of Salisbury Rowan Symphony, previous NAACP chapter president; life member and previous board of trustees member for Barber-Scotia College
What makes you best qualified: Federal public office at this time requires leadership with experience and training in dealing with terrorism, an understanding of the dynamics of health-care decision-making from the patient to the policy levels. It also requires new thinking on how to put jobs in this country, which can’t be shipped overseas or sent south of the border.
Top priority if elected: Jobs for the present with a rebuilding our agricultural, industrial and economic base centering on sustainability, alternative-energy sources, historic restoration, re-examination of free-trade issues. Access to affordable health care based on free enterprise, reasonable tort reform.
Mel Watt
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Democrat
Home address: 515 N. Poplar St., Charlotte
Date of Birth: Aug. 26, 1945
Education: York Road High School; B.S. in business administration, University of North Carolina, 1967; J.D., Yale University, 1970.
Occupation: Lawyer
Family: Married with two sons
Political experience: Campaign manager of Harvey Gantt’s campaigns for city council, mayor of Charlotte and U.S. Senate. Served one term in N.C. Senate. Elected to Congress in North Carolina’s 12th District in 1992
What makes you best qualified: Experience is important in getting results in Congress, and my 12 years is critical. I have a responsive, experienced staff that gets results from federal agencies, and the committees on which I have served (judiciary and financial services) deal with issues important to my constituents.
Top priority if elected: My most important priority will be continuing to provide effective constituent services and continuing to be a responsive, informed and aggressive voice for my constituents. When my constituents don’t agree with the direction in which we are headed, I must not be hesitant to articulate and represent them.
District 71 race pits Democrat, Libertarian
COMPILED BY VICTORIA CHERRIE
Rep. Larry Womble is running for a sixth term in the N.C. House against Libertarian Lynn Haggerty in House District 71.
Womble, 61, is a retired educator. He defeated Haggerty and Republican Mac Weatherman in the 2002 election. The 71st District includes pre-cincts in southern and eastern Winston-Salem.
Larry Womble
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Democrat
Home address: 1294 Salem Lake Road, Winston-Salem
Date of birth: June 6, 1941
Education: Atkins High School honor graduate; Honor graduate, B.S. in education, Winston-Salem State University, 1963; honor graduate, M.A. in education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 1970; Honor graduate, Educational Specialist, Appalachian State University, 1977; Working on Ph.D. in administration at UNCG.
Occupation: Retired educator
Family: One son
Political experience: Campaign organizer, member of pre-cinct committee, delegate for lo-cal, state and national Democratic conventions; member of the Democratic executive committee, alderman, and five terms as state House representative.
What makes you best qualified: I have experience, dedication, and leadership skills. I am a listener, and a hard worker. I have knowledge, loyalty, compassion, patience, a track record and a vision. I am capable, willing and sensitive.
Top priority if elected: I support quality education for all and health care for all, especially the elderly. I want crime and drug reduction and prevention. I support economic development, housing, the environment, transportation, jobs and highway construction.
Lynn Haggerty
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Libertarian
Home address: Did not provide
Date of birth: July 29,1972
Education: Did not provide
Occupation: Mother, homemaker
Family: Did not provide
Political experience: Student council; candidate for Winston-Salem Board of Aldermen in 1984
What makes you best qualified: Did not provide
Top priority if elected: Did not provide.
Parmon is running for her second term
COMPILED BY VICTORIA CHERRIE
Democrat Earline Parmon is running unopposed for re-election in House District 72. Parmon defeated Vernon Robinson, a member of the Winston-Salem City Council, to win the seat in 2002. She is running for her second term, and was a member of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners for 12 years.
The 72nd District includes precincts in northern Winston-Salem.
Earline W. Parmon
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Democrat
Home address: 3873 Barkwood Drive, Winston-Salem
Date of birth: Nov. 18, 1943
Education: B.S. in business administration, Winston-Salem State University, 1977
Occupation: Educational consultant
Family: Married with four children
Political experience: Three terms as Forsyth County commissioner; one term in N.C. House.
What makes you best qualified: Serving as a county commissioner helped give me the fundamental understanding of the operation of government. Understanding that I am a representative of the people that elects me is essential in the decisions that I make as an elected representative of the citizens of Forsyth County and North Carolina. My ability to listen to my constituents and to vote in their interest is one of my best assets.
Top priority if elected: I will work to bring jobs to Forsyth County and the state that pay a livable wage. I support accessible and affordable health care for all citizens. I support education, particularly ensuring that all students receive the best education that this state can afford. I support justice system reform, a moratorium on executions and reform of habitual felony sentencing, environment watersheds and finding solutions for ozone problems in Forsyth County and the state.
Republican, Libertarian compete for seat in N.C. House District 73
COMPILED BY WES YOUNG
Mayor Larry Brown of Kernersville defeated incumbent Rep. Michael Decker in the July 20 Republican primary, but that didn’t automatically put Brown in the N.C. General Assembly.
No Democrat opposes Brown. In the 73rd House District, the GOP has 52 per-cent of the registered voters, compared to 31 percent for the Democrats.
Brown must get past Libertarian candidate Michael Smith of Davidson County before he can claim a seat in the House.
Smith has run for office two times before. In 2000, he contested the 38th District in the N.C. Senate and received 11 percent of the vote in a two-way race with Stan Bingham, a Republican. In 1998 Smith received 2 percent of the vote in a three-way contest in which incumbent Rep. Mel Watt was re-elected with 56 percent of the vote.
The district covers eastern Forsyth County.
Larry R. Brown
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Republican
Home Address: 311 Salisbury Street, No. 22, Kernersville
Date of birth: Feb. 9, 1943
Education: B.A., Central Wesleyan College (now Southern Wesleyan University)
Occupation: retired from U.S. Postal Service; mayor of Kernersville
Family: married with two children
Political experience: Kernersville alderman for 11 years, mayor for seven years
What makes you best qualified: I have served as an elective official for 18 years. I have been active in economic development locally and have been associated internationally with the countries of Taiwan and Russia trying to expand business opportunities to foreign markets. I have represented the Triad area as a progressive region for new manufacturing and distribution center for foreign investors. I have been supportive for the FedEx hub by speaking to various agen-cies. During my tenure as mayor, 2,000 new jobs have located in Kernersville.
Top priority if elected: My top priorities are the three “E’s” — education, the economy and efficiency of government. I believe we must have a quality educational system with well-paid teachers dedicated to providing quality education. We must provide free work-force training to the unemployed at local com-mu-nity colleges. Economically, we must lower the tax rates to attract new businesses and retain the ones we have. We must make government efficient.
Michael Smith
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Libertarian
Home address: 422 Rolling Green Drive, Winston-Salem
Date of birth: Dec. 12, 1962
Education: B.A., English, UNC Greensboro, 1984
Occupation: Modular-home sales consultant
Family: Married with one child
Political experience: chairman of the Davidson County Libertarian Party; ran for U.S. House in 1998 and N.C. Senate in 2000
What makes you best qualified: I represent something other than the status quo. I educate myself on the issues and use a philosophy of “that which governs best, governs least.” More government equals less freedom. It’s time more elected officials understood that.
Top priority if elected: The number one priority of a state representative is to be a good steward of the people’s money. That’s why I have endorsed the Freedom Budget, an alternative budget designed by the John Locke Foundation in Raleigh. I will introduce this plan, which restores some fiscal sanity to the budget mess we currently have.
Candidates vie for new seat in district
COMPILED BY PAUL GARBER
The candidates for the 74th District of the N.C. House are vying for a new seat that was created by redistricting.
Both Democrat Tom Brandon and Republican Dale Folwell ran for the 93rd House seat in 2002, but both lost in the primary. Fol-well is a former member of the Winston-Salem / Forsyth County School Board. Brandon is a former member of the Yadkin County school board and board of commissioners.
The 74th House District covers parts of Forsyth County.
Tom Brandon
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Democrat
Home address: 161 Buckingham Road, Winston-Salem
Date of birth: Oct. 1, 1942
Education: B.A., Western Carolina University
Occupation: President, W. N. Ireland Insurance Agency Inc.
Family: Married with three children and four grandchildren
Political experience: Former Yadkin County school-board member, former Yadkin County Commissioner
What makes you best qualified: As a county commissioner, school-board member and business owner for 40 years, I have treated all political, ethnic, social and religious groups with respect. Intolerance has no place in our society. I would ably represent the interests of all my constituents. This makes me more qualified to serve.
Top priority if elected: Education is the engine of economic growth in North Carolina, and there is no higher priority than providing public schools with the funding they need to excel. This is why I support a statewide lottery for education. Boosting education will drive our economy and make the future brighter for everyone.
Dale Folwell
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Republican
Home address: 299 S. Westview Drive, Winston-Salem
Date of birth: Dec. 17, 1958
Education: B.S. and M.S. in accountancy, UNC Greensboro
Occupation: Consultant and private investor
Family: Married with two children.
Political experience: Served eight years on Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education; graduate, N.C. Institute of Political Leadership
What makes you best qualified: My lifelong educational, public-service, occupational, community and caregiving experiences make me uniquely qualified to serve Winston-Salem in the N.C. House. Best qualified also means most effective. I enjoy the challenge of tackling complex issues and don’t mind if someone else gets the credit. I have signed and honored the no PAC/lobbyist pledge, and I will honor the no salary contract if I don’t fulfill my promise to my employer. (The voter!)
Top priority if elected: It costs too much to live and do business in North Carolina. This is a direct result of the state’s budget, which has grown at a rate of three times the inflation rate for the past several years. My top priority is to lower taxes by shrinking state government. North Carolina doesn’t have a revenue problem. It has a spending problem.
Former mayor of Clemmons running for re-election to N.C. House
COMPLIED BY JOHN HINTON
William C. “Bill” McGee is running for re-election for a N.C. House seat in the newly established 75th District that includes parts of southern Forsyth County. McGee was elected to the N.C. House in 2002. He is the former mayor of Clemmons.
McGee is unopposed. The district covers southwestern Forsyth County.
William C. “Bill” McGee
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Republican
Home address: 6102 Arden Drive, Clemmons
Date of birth: Feb. 21, 1936
Education: Old Richmond High School; B.A. in business administration, High Point University.
Occupation: Retired stockbroker
Family: Married with two sons and four grandchildren
Political experience: One term as Clemmons council member, four terms as mayor of Clemmons. Elected to the N.C. House in 2002. Running for a second term as a House member in the newly established 75th District.
What makes you qualified: I have served in local government as an elected member of the Clemmons Village Council, and one term in the N.C. House of Representatives. My experience at the local level and the knowledge gained in my first term in Raleigh provide experience and insight into how best to discharge my duties to my constituency.
Top priority if elected: My first and most important priority is to serve my constituents as their voice in the legislature. I will continue to work to reduce waste and redundancy in state government. I will support our educational system in its goal of sending high-school and college graduates into our society with the tools appropriate to succeed. I will work diligently to bring jobs to North Carolina and into Forsyth County, while reducing onerous and burdensome taxes and relieving our businesses of unnecessary rules and regulations.
Garrou faces challenge from Dowe in 32nd
COMPILED BY VICTORIA CHERRIE
Republican Bill Dowe, a small-business counselor and the chairman of Winston-Salem’s Economic Development Revolving Loan committee, is challenging state Sen. Linda Garrou.
Dowe has unsuccessfully run for public office several times. Garrou, a Democrat, is seeking another term in N.C. Senate District 32, which includes precincts in Winston-Salem and southern Forsyth County.
W.R. “Bill” Dowe
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Republican
Home address: 4230 Sewanne Drive, Winston-Salem
Date of birth: March 14, 1929
Education: Attended college, extensive coursework in business and finance.
Occupation: Small-business counselor and lecturer
Family: Widower, three grown children
Political experience: Ran for Forsyth County register of deeds and Winston-Salem Board of Aldermen
What makes you best qualified: My statewide record in counseling small businesses, organizations and agencies to ensure their success, and in obtaining financing or developing revised direction plans for their return to profitability. I was recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration and numerous North Carolina counties.
Top priority if elected: The state budget is a tax and spend one that has wide, damaging effects on every aspect of life in North Carolina. Spiraling costs hurt recruitment of business and fixed-income residents. Delving into the budget, justifying each line item is the solution.
Linda Garrou
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Democrat
Home address: 3910 Camerille Farm Road, Winston-Salem
Date of birth: Jan. 17, 1943
Education: B.S., education, University of Georgia, 1964; M.A., teaching, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1967
Occupation: Former regional administrator of the guardian ad litem program for the N.C. Administrative Office of Courts
Family: Married with two daughters, one granddaughter
Political experience: Three terms in the N.C. Senate
What makes you best qualified: In my three terms, I improved education, provided economic opportunities for families and ensured that Forsyth County earns the recognition it deserves. I protected jobs in the tobacco industry, and lead the charge to keep Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Winston-Salem. My record demonstrates leadership.
Top priority if elected: I will work to bring new jobs to our state and to Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County, lead efforts to keep North Carolina a national leader in educational progress — K-12, community colleges and universities, and keep the state moving ahead while maintaining financial discipline.
Two seek to serve as register of deeds
COMPILED BY MICHAEL HEWLETT
The candidates for Forsyth County register of deeds have faced each other before, back in 2000.
Republican Dickie C. Wood defeated Democrat Charles Norman Holleman. In 1996, Wood first won office by defeating Holleman’s brother, John S. Holleman, and became the first Republican to hold the seat since 1912.
The register of deeds office stores records of births, deaths, real-estate transactions, veterans’ discharges and marriage licenses.
Charles Norman Holleman
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Democrat
Home Address: 1520 Doune Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27127
Date of Birth: May 10, 1955
Education: 4+ years of college
Occupation: Realtor
Family: Married with one son
Political experience: Assisted with several campaigns including a congressional candidate
What makes you best qualified: As a Realtor who works with the register of deeds office, I believe that the office could run more effectively and efficiently with technology. The register of deeds office should focus on customers and their individual needs, and how to best meet those needs.
Top priority if elected: I want to bring integrity and fiscal responsibility back to this office. The few records that my opponent made available online have been outsourced to another state. He continues to rent office space while free space is available. His office has been investigated for embezzlement. Don’t we need a change?
Dickie C. Wood
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Republican
Home Address: 105 Meadows Edge Road, Clemmons
Date of birth: Feb, 8, 1953
Education: Parkland High School; Davidson County Community College
Occupation: Forsyth County register of deeds since 1996
Family: Divorced
Political experience: Elected to present position in 1996 and re-elected in 2000
What makes you best qualified: The office of the register of deeds has a simple but important function — to record and maintain public records such as birth certificates, death certificates, and real-estate transactions, and to make those records readily available to the public. Since 1996, I have strived to do this in the most economical way. There has been an increase in activity in every area of the office over the last eight years, but the number of employees has remained virtually the same. We have recently gone online with our records, which is a convenience for the public.
Top priority if re-elected: My priority has remained unchanged since 1996. The citizens and taxpayers of Forsyth County are my chief concern, and the office of the register of deeds will continue to operate economically and in a dignified manner.
Three seats up for grabs on Forsyth board
COMPILED BY MICHAEL HEWLETT
The candidates for the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners are vying for three seats, including one that became open when Chairman Pete Brunstetter announced he would not run for re-election.
Republican incumbents Gloria Whisenhunt and Richard Linville are up against Democrat Bill McDonough, Republican Bill Whiteheart and Libertarian Richard Norman.
All promise they will work for lower taxes and efficient government.
The seats are in District B, which covers all of Forsyth County except parts of eastern and central Forsyth County. The district is heavily Republican.
No candidates filed to run for one of three seats of the Forsyth Soil and Water Conservation district supervisor. Voters can write in a candidate for the job.
Richard Norman
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Libertarian
Home address: 2071 Mallard Lakes Drive, Winston-Salem
Date of birth: Sept. 12, 1947
Education: South Torrance High School, 1965; UNC Chapel Hill, 1970
Occupation: Computer consultant, Internet entrepreneur
Family: Married with three children and five grandchildren
Political experience: None
What makes you best qualified: I understand that a government exists to serve the citizens, that all citizens have the right to be heard on any issue and that government has the obligation to listen and give reasonable consideration to the ideas of the citizens. Government must be honest when dealing with the citizens.
Top priority if elected: Stopping runaway county spending on corporate welfare — it makes no sense to spend taxpayer money to attract new businesses while taxing and regulating old ones out of business. I will work to promote a business-friendly environment to encourage business growth in the county.
Bill Whiteheart
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Republican
Home address: 3794 Williams Road, Lewisville
Date of birth: Feb. 28, 1947
Education: R.J. Reynolds High School; East Carolina University; University of Tennessee
Family: Single
Occupation: Small businessman
Political experience: Airport Commission of Forsyth County — chairman, 1999-present; vice chairman and member since 1994; state president of the National Federation of Independent Business of North Carolina, 1999-2004; Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation, elected treasurer, 2001, board member since 1999; national delegate, White House Conference on Small Business, 1996; N.C. delegate, Congressional Small Business Summit, 1998, 2000, 2002
What makes you best qualified: As a lifelong resident, I have worked for 30 years as a business owner and activist on civic projects. I serve as president of N.C.’s NFIB and chairman of the local airport commission where I have helped to keep two important employers from leaving our area.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is to improve the business climate to bring much-needed jobs into Forsyth County. I oppose any further tax increases that would make our county less attractive to new business and burden our citizens, particularly seniors. I favor a conservative approach to budgeting while working to improve education.
Bill McDonough
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Democrat
Home address: 8052 Glengarriff Road, Clemmons
Date of birth: May 5, 1963
Education: B.A. in international economics, Georgetown University, 1985; M.B.A., Wake Forest University, 1988
Occupation: Vice president, enterprise project manager, Wachovia Bank
Family: Married with three children
Political experience: None
What makes you best qualified: I have a unique combination of professional experience in health care, banking, technology and project management. I will bring knowledge and results-oriented experience to the board, which will be vital to settling the right priorities to help our community continue its transition from a manufacturing-based economy to a knowledge-based economy.
Top priority if elected: County commissioners are responsible for the public-school infrastructure and the effective stewardship of resources allocated to its development. With more than 200 trailers on our elementary-, middle- and high-school campuses, it is imperative that we get schools built, as voters decided in 2001, and retire the trailers.
Gloria D. Whisenhunt
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Republican
Home address: 456 N. Hawthorne Road, Winston-Salem
Date of birth: Sept. 17, 1946
Education: King High School, 1964; Barbizon School of Cosmetology, 1968
Occupation: Small-business owner/hairdresser
Family: Married with one son
Political experience: Member of the 1990-1996 Forsyth County Board of Education, 1990-1996, Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, 1996-present
What makes you best qualified: Having served as a school-board member for six years, and a county commissioner for eight years enables me to recognize the needs of the citizens of Forsyth County. While understanding the needs, I also am aware of what the taxpayers can afford to pay. My voting record represents a proven conservative.
Top priority if elected: My priority is continued dedicated service to the citizens of Forsyth County. I am an advocate for schools, community college, public safety and most importantly, a reasonable tax rate. I will continue to represent the citizens in a prudent and careful way by making my top priority a reasonable tax rate.
Richard V. Linville
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Republican
Home address: 6321 Vance Road, Kernersville
Date of birth: Aug. 27, 1948
Education: East Forsyth High School
Occupation: Farming business
Family: Married with two children
Political experience: Forsyth County commissioner for 23 years
What makes you best qualified: Having been a commissioner 24 years, working on county budget, zoning issues and all aspects of county government.
Running farming business helps understand budgets, capital projects, equipment and services county provides for the people.
Top priority if elected: Keep taxes stable and low as possible, to provide primary services people need. Stable taxes helps in economic development, attracting new businesses and not overburden businesses already here. Stable taxes allow taxpayers to keep more of their money. Senior citizens must be kept in mind. Education, continued high-level emergency services, economic development, solid-waste disposal.
Two of eight judges in 21st District face opposition
COMPILED BY LISA HOPPENJANS
The 21st Judicial District, which covers all of Forsyth County, has eight District Court judges. Voters will fill six judgeships Tuesday in nonpartisan elections.
Judge Victoria Roemer is running for re-election against Dan Anthony, a Winston-Salem lawyer. Judge William Graham is running for re-election against Richard Durham, a local lawyer.
Judges Laurie Hutchins, William Reingold, Larry Fine and Chester Davis are running for re-election without opposition.
The 21st Judicial District has four Superior Court judges. Voters will fill two judgeships. Judges Judson D. Deramus Jr. and L. Todd Burke are running for re-election without opposition. Burke didn’t respond to the Journal’s request for campaign information.
Laurie L. Hutchins
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 719 Roslyn Road, Winston-Salem
Date of birth: Aug. 21, 1956
Education: B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ,1978; J.D. from Wake Forest University, 1983
Occupation: District Court judge, elected 1996 and unopposed in two election cycles
Family: One daughter
Political experience: Forsyth County Board of Elections (1989-1993)
What makes you best qualified: I have experience — 21 years in the legal profession, eight of those hearing thousands of cases, certification in juvenile law, and a strong work ethic. I am decisive and unafraid to be tough when needed, described by a reporter in The Kernersville News as wielding an iron fist in a velvet glove.
Top priority if elected: I will continue my legal education to maintain expertise on all District Court matters and continue improvements in domestic-violence court, including domestic restraining orders. I will make District Court easier to navigate for parties without attorneys; for example, by providing simple forms for divorce, custody and visitation, and I will maintain high level of professionalism and courtesy.
William B. Reingold
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 8005 Whitmore Cove Lane, Clemmons
Date of birth: Feb. 2, 1952.
Education: B.A. in economics and business administration, State University of New York, 1974; J.D., Wake Forest University School of Law, 1983
Occupation: Chief District Court judge
Family: Married; two sons
Political experience: District Court judge April 1986 to present, Chief District Court 1998 to present
What makes you best qualified: Since I am running unopposed, I will move to address the top priorities in my next term.
Top priority if elected: I believe that our District Court should continue its evolution towards treating families as a whole versus simply treating individuals within that family. Our truancy, adult and juvenile drug courts, as well as the domestic-violence court, combine as a whole toward treating family issues.
Lawrence J. “Larry” Fine
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 3056 Upland Place, Clemmons, 27012
Date of birth: April 29, 1955
Education: B.A. in English, Franklin and Marshall College, 1977; M.A. in Education, Ohio University, 1979; J.D., Wake Forest University, 1982
Occupation: District Court judge; adjunct professor of juvenile law at Wake Forest University School of Law
Family: Married; one daughter
Political experience: Appointed to the bench in the spring of 2001 by Gov. Mike Easley
What makes you best qualified: Before serving on the bench for the past 3˝ years, I practiced law in this community for 18 years. I practiced in all of the courts in which I preside. I possess the knowledge, experience and disposition needed to be an excellent District Court judge.
Top priority if elected: I will continue to treat all people who enter my courtroom with the utmost dignity and respect while deciding cases solely on the basis of the facts presented and the applicable law.
Chester C. Davis
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 1447 Country Meadow Lane, Kernersville, 27284
Date of birth: Nov. 7, 1942
Education: B.A., Davidson College; J.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Occupation: District Court judge
Family: Married; three children; two grandchildren
Political experience: 13 years as a judge
What makes you best qualified: I am not opposed.
Top priority if elected: I want to complete reorganizing child-support court and continue providing the best quality of justice to the citizens of Forsyth County with the best group of District Court judges in the state.
Judson Davie “Dave” DeRamus Jr.
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 463 Carolina Circle, Winston-Salem, 27104
Date of birth: Jan. 6, 1945
Education: B.A. in business administration, Duke University, 1965; J.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1968; National Judicial College, University of Nevada at Reno, 1980; Justice Executive Program, School of Business Administration, Institute of Government and Governor’s Crime Commission, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1982
Occupation: Senior resident Superior Court judge, 21st Judicial District, Forsyth County
Family: Married; three children; son-in-law; grandson
Political experience: Successful candidate in eight contested and three uncontested elections for state representative and resident Superior Court judge for terms of office totaling 38 years beginning in May 1974. In February 1989, became a senior resident judge, with attendant administrative, appointive and judicial leadership responsibilities for State of North Carolina Courts in Forsyth County. Former president, Conference of Superior Court Judges of North Carolina, member for five years, Dispute Resolution Commission, as appointee of three Chief Justices, and chairman of its program oversight committee 2002 to 2004
What makes you best qualified: My education, training, and experience uniquely qualify me for the office of Superior Court judge, which I have held for more than 25 years. I particularly enjoy the public service that my present office helps me to provide. My parents instilled in me a love for public service.
Top priority if elected: My top priority will be to seek secure, functionally efficient, state-of-the-art facilities for court officials, with sufficient space, particularly in courtrooms, for citizens, including the disabled. They will be able to exercise their right of access to their courts as recognized in May 2004 by the Supreme Court of the United States.
Anthony vs. Roemer
COMPILED BY LISA HOPPENJANS
Judge Victoria Roemer is running for re-election against Dan Anthony, a Winston-Salem lawyer.
Daniel B. “Dan” Anthony
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 3745 Rosebriar Lane, Winston-Salem, 27106
Date of birth: Feb. 5, 1962
Education: B.S., Miami University (OH), 1984; J.D., UNC Chapel Hill, 1994
Occupation: Lawyer
Family: Married; three children
Political experience: None
What makes you best qualified: Forsyth County needs judges who decide evidence presented in court. My legal experience (criminal and civil law) and life experience (parents murdered, cancer survivor, church leader) provide me with essential qualifications to do this. I will be a judge with character and integrity, rather than just a judge of it.
Top priority if elected: I will work to regain the public’s trust in our court system. Everyone who appears before me as judge will leave court knowing they were judged equally, without bias or favor. No person should have more or less favor based upon where they live, who represents them or by their status in life.
Victoria L. “Tori” Roemer
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 821 West End Blvd., Winston-Salem, 27101
Date of birth: Jan. 30, 1953
Education: R. J. Reynolds High School 1971; B.A., Wake Forest University, 1975; J.D., Wake Forest Law School, 1984
Occupation: District Court judge
Family: Single
Political experience: Two terms as a District Court judge — elected in 1996 and 2000
What makes you best qualified: My extensive experience with the judicial system and my 47 years in this community. I have been an assistant district attorney for five years, a magistrate for two years and a District Court judge for nearly eight years. My background, experience and record on the bench make me best qualified.
Top priority if elected: For justice to be best served. I will continue to 1) listen carefully and patiently to all parties who come into my courtroom; 2) decide each case based on its own merits; 3) have a courteous and well-run courtroom; and 4) most importantly, be fair and apply the law equally to everyone.
Durham vs. Graham
COMPILED BY LISA HOPPENJANS
Judge William Graham is running for re-election against Richard Durham, a local lawyer.
Richard M. Durham
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 750 Yorkshire Road, Winston-Salem, 27106
Date of birth: July 7, 1954
Education: Mount Tabor High School, Reynolds High School, 1972; B.A., University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 1976; J.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1979
Occupation: Lawyer
Family: Two children
Political experience: None
What makes you best qualified: As a lifelong resident of Forsyth County, I am prepared to assume the duties of a District Court judge. With a law degree from UNC Chapel Hill and more than 20 years in law practice, I will bring trust, fairness and accountability to the courtroom that is expected and demanded by our citizens.
Top priority if elected: I will work to protect the real legacy of our country — our children. Specifically, I will focus on individuals who have violated our motor-vehicle laws again and again by passing stopped school buses, driving while intoxicated, abusing family members and selling alcohol to minors. It must stop.
William Graham
(Click name to read full profile)
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 175 Warwick Green, Winston-Salem, 27104
Date of birth: Jan. 15, 1959
Education: Duke University, Thomas Cooley Law School
Occupation: District Court judge
Family: Married
Political experience: Elected District Court judge in 1996; re-elected in 2000.
What makes you best qualified: I believe my eight years of experience as a District Court judge make me the best qualified candidate. Everyone who comes before me is entitled to be fully heard and I follow, and will continue to follow, that policy. I strive to be fair to all.
Top priority if elected: I will continue my “judicial philosophy” of being polite, courteous and respectful of all who appear before me; being patient, as every case is important — certainly to the parties involved, and to the proper administration of justice. I will apply the law to the facts in each case.
Forsyth County Elections Contact Info
• Kathie Chastain Cooper, Director
201 North Chestnut St.
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Phone: 336-703-2800
Fax: 336-727-2893