The district: The 36th straddles U.S. 1 in southwestern Wake County and includes parts of Cary, Apex and Swift Creek. With Tom Bradshaw Freeway on the eastern boundary, the district drops below U.S. 1 to U.S. 401/Fayetteville Highway. NC FREE rates the district as one of nine Republican-held districts that is a swing district in this election.
The incumbent: Nelson Dollar, a 45-year-old Cary Republican, is seeking his second term. He runs a media and public relations firm and holds a masters in social sciences from Appalachian State University. He has called for House Speaker Jim Black’s resignation in the face of questions about campaign contributions and thinks the speaker of the House should be limited to three terms of two years each.
The challenger: Democrat Greer Beaty, 40, is making her first run for public office because, she says, “It’s important for me, as a mother, to teach my children about taking the initiative to change the world.” The mother of two has worked for the state Department of Commerce, N.C. Cooperative Extension, N.C. Partnership for Children and the public relations firm of French/West/Vaughn. She has been endorsed by the N.C. Association of Educators, the Conservation Council, the Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood and the National Organization for Women.
Dollar’s issues: His budget amendment failed to level out the pay raise of teachers and state employees at 6.4 percent instead of the approved 8 percent boost for teachers. He introduced legislation to use state lottery funds for a statewide school bond that would provide $5 billion for construction. He wants to cut the dropout rate and improve basic math, reading and writing skills in the early grades. He co-sponsored legislation to allow taxpayers to designate a portion of their tax refund for North Carolina’s breast cancer screening. He opposes illegal immigration.
Beaty’s issues: Her family-oriented campaign stresses working together across party lines to improve communities, deliver better health services and strengthen small businesses. Teacher pay and quality must be raised to prepare today’s children for the global economy, she says. That preparation means higher standards for reading, writing and arithmetic as well as fostering creativity and entrepreneurship. She advocates apprenticeship programs so students can learn trades and skills before they graduate from high school. Companies who knowingly hire illegal immigrants should lose all state contracts, she says.
Historical footnote: Dollar defeated fellow Republican David Miner in the 2004 primary, then steamrollered a Libertarian candidate with 83 percent of the vote. He was present for 1,804 votes and did not miss a session during his two years. After questions were raised about the $30,000 in state money spent to host legislators on a state ferry during Beaufort’s tall ships festival, Dollar paid $200 for the cruise he took with his wife and 5-year-old son.
The Buzz: Republicans have held this seat for more than a decade. Democrat Greer Beaty is running hard and raising money, making the race competitive.
By correspondent David Newton
