Secretary of State Elaine Marshall's name has not been on any Democratic U.S. Senate lists, but maybe she should be.
Marshall said running against Republican Sen. Richard Burr next year is something she might consider, although she is not actively testing the waters now.
"It's on my radar screen," Marshall said. "I have not excluded myself from that. Right now we have a world of hurt down at the General Assembly."
Marshall, a 63-year old Lillington attorney and former state senator, became the first woman, to win a state-wide executive office in 1996, when she defeated NASCAR legend Richard Petty. She has been easily re-elected since then.
But her one effort to move up fell far short, when she finished third in the 2002 Senate primary behind Erskine Bowles, now the University of North Carolina president, and former House Speaker Dan Blue, now a state senator.
Bowles won 43 percent, Blue 29 percent and Marshall 15 percent.
More after the jump.
—————
Bowles went on to lose to Republican Elizabeth Dole in the fall by a 54 percent to 45 percent margin.
Marshall is well liked in Democratic circles, where people appreciate her folksy, down-to-earth style. But she had difficulty raising enough money to be competitive in a Senate race.
"It (the Senate) had a great deal of attraction," Marshall said. "I think I can do well in the legislative environment. I did do well. I have a track record as a capable administrator."
Since her early successes, Marshall has seen two other women climb past her up the political ladder: Gov. Beverly Perdue and Sen. Kay Hagan.
After Attorney General Roy Cooper decided to forgo the race, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has been courting Congressmen Heath Shuler and Mike McIntyre, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton and state Treasurer Richard Moore.
Others interested include former state Sen. Cal Cunningham of Lexington, former Obama fund raiser Kenneth Lewis of Durham.
Comments
Re: Marshall for Senate?
October 4, 2009 - 6:59pm — ryantechI am less concerned at this stage with specific bills or issues she put forward. If it's going to be a Year of the single men, it must be tempting to escape the restless world of the General Assembly. Maybe this will open the doors for the Libertarians.
Re: Marshall for Senate?
June 8, 2009 - 8:48am — CitizenOpinionatedThanks for answering Marta!
As an administrator of the Secretary of State - she has implemented some excellent priorities in cleaning up the lobbyist system - yet it is very much still riddled with corruption.
Elaine is nothing short of a bureaucrat as you have so aptly proven. As a lobbyist I am sure incentives might come your way if Elaine made it to Washington DC.
You have also proven that you are part of the Democratic machine by your statements, which is my opinion and in light of everything surrounding the Easley family - I must laugh at your unbiased and unstacked portrayal of this integral part of the Basnight-Rand Democratic Party of North Carolina.
Re: Marshall for Senate? reply to Citizen Opinionated
June 7, 2009 - 10:51am — mbrock49I have two ways of responding: first, to disclose that I am a former registered lobbyist, and I was regulated by the Office Sec. Marshall heads. Members of the public are unlikely to note the many improvements she has made to that office, while serving as Sec. of State, but those who deal with her office do know about them.
Second, while I am less concerned at this stage with specific bills or issues she put forward, I know her to be a conscientious and informed person, who carried that to the legislature during her time there. I think she can speak for herself on her record, and she will, if she seeks the nomination. Elaine Marshall is open and direct in her communications.
Also, as I said before, she is know for her high ethical standards-- something hardly to sneeze at these days in Raleigh.
Re: Marshall for Senate?
June 7, 2009 - 9:10am — CitizenOpinionatedMBrock - please tell us two things that Elaine Marshall has accomplished while ALL of her time in public office that has helped the average citizen in North Carolina...
Don't worry I will wait...
Re: Marshall for Senate? Yeah, She'd make one great Senator
June 7, 2009 - 11:00am — mbrock49I have watched Elaine Marshall for many years. I have the utmost respect for her dedication to public service and her unquestionable ethics and knowledge. I can understand the suggestion that Dems should recruit from the younger crowd, but Marshall's age should not automatically rule her out. Ever hear of age discrimination?
Is there a young person with the same abilities and experience available? I don't know anyone, myself.
As Marshall says in the interview, she not only has legislative experience, but more public administration experience than anyone else around NC. And as Jesse Helms' career in the Senate proved, constituency service is a big part of service and of getting re-elected.
Marta Brock, Cary, NC and Elaine admirer
Re: Marshall for Senate?
June 6, 2009 - 2:50pm — ryanteaguebeckwith (author)Cool it, PercyKution. If I delete your post and you repost it again, that's not a good thing. I can freeze your account, you know.
— RTB
Re: Marshall for Senate?
June 6, 2009 - 12:29pm — ConMaxHe raised no money and Moses couldn't win a 21st century election without greenbacks.* Durham Fred
Sure Moses could win in the 21 st century without a problem. He still has God as his campaign manager and God has the gold to rule, considering paper currency won't be worth the paper it is printed on in the next year......Go Moses, A tribe in every pocket against the Heathen!
Re: Marshall for Senate?
June 6, 2009 - 8:09am — KellyWIt's tough to get someone with good ideas, passion for the political arena and youth all in the same package. Who has that kind of money?
Re: Marshall for Senate?
June 5, 2009 - 10:47pm — alaskan1I think I am going to throw up.
Re: Marshall for Senate?
June 5, 2009 - 5:16pm — DurhamFredUh.....Jim Neal-- remember him?
State Board of Elections says he pulled 140,000 more votes in the '08 Dem senate primary than did Marshal in her '02 run and 55,000 more than Blue in same '02 race. Also more than McIntyre and Shuler in their '08 general races.
Dem. Big Wigs scorned Neal from the outset; he was the only Dem in NC who thought Dole was vulnerable and stepped to the plate in '07(including N&O puppets.) He raised no money and Moses couldn't win a 21st century election without greenbacks. Welcome to dollar democracy (Perdue's had, what, three or more fundraisers just since she took office only 5 months ago.)
Shuler and McIntyre are Blue Dog Republicans-- and not as saavy as Burr (Shuler can't count & McIntyre's a rube.) Only candidates who give Burr a race are Moore (he's rich, would raise Dem. Party $ and he ran in a brutal statewide race v. Perdue) and Neal (inspiring, smart, underdog and best campaigner of 2008....but he's non-factor with no money). Dalton and Marshall are porcelain relics......
Lewis and Cunningham....yet to see? All about money.
Re: Marshall for Senate?
June 5, 2009 - 1:48pm — CrudeoilStupid Republicans???
We don't have lying upright terd piles like the clinton's.
We don't have any "love childs" around
we don't go jail for bribes.
We don't go to jail for tax evasion
We don't go to jail for the likes of the socialist's like Dan Bluegum.
Raise taxes to feed stray dogs, please, you'll have to do better than that.
Re: Marshall for Senate?
June 5, 2009 - 1:04pm — PhantomLordJust what we need. A 65 year old freshman senator were she to win.
How about getting some people born in the 2nd half of the 20th century to run.
Re: Marshall for Senate?
June 5, 2009 - 12:24pm — TheLibertineLet the Dems raise taxes in NC in the current state we're in...you'll see them drop like flies in the elections...and then the stupid Republicans will come back in, talk a good game, and foul it up as usual. Maybe this will open the doors for the Libertarians, but alas, not enough free thinking, self-managing, responsible adults in NC for that to happen.
Democrats for Senate and NBA Draft
June 5, 2009 - 10:18am — CitizenOpinionatedThe Democrats call Richard Burr very vulnerable, yet no one will run against him...
Lottery Pick:
Roy Cooper
2nd Round Pick:
Health Shuler
Both are out!
Considering the draft but did not hire an agent:
Elaine Marshall
Mike McIntyre
But only this time the candidate is guaranteed at least $15 million dollars from outside liberal groups, unions and National Democrats...
Re: Marshall for Senate?
June 5, 2009 - 10:03am — ProsperoIt's going to take a lot of Mandy Grunwald wood putty and high-tone production value (and some admitted perennial weakness in both the state and national GOP) for Madam Secretary to defeat Burr in 2010.
It could happen, of course, as it did with the originally reluctant Senator Hagan, last year, but over-confidence among some Democrats shouldn't translate over to the professional side.
TIf it's going to be a Year of the Women, it must be tempting to escape the restless world of the General Assembly. Nevertheless, the Secretary might be counted on in a pinch, to run. It would require quite a transformation in perceptions.
A lot will happen before filing, now just ~8 months away.