When Democratic gubernatorial nominee Walter Dalton gave his acceptance speech after capturing his party’s nomination earlier this month, he shared the stage with his sister – the two of them composing one of the odd couples of Tar Heel politics.
Dalton, although a moderate, is a die-hard Democrat, raised by a father who was a local wheel in Democratic politics. His sister, Laura Neely, spent her courting days at Republican meetings, is married to former Republican gubernatorial candidate Chuck Neely, and is herself the former state chairman of Citizens for Reagan.
More politics below.
--North Carolina drivers who use Interstate 95 the most know it’s in bad shape. But some out on their Sunday drives said they would avoid using the highway if the state started collecting tolls to improve it. Toll opposition has united Republican and Democratic lawmakers, who have teamed to file bills giving the legislature final say over tolling the interstate. A bill to block federal approval of the toll filed by U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers, a Republican from Dunn, has bipartisan support among the state’s congressional delegation.
--The Charlotte Observer is gearing up for the Democratic National Convention. Take a look at the complete coverage here and check out the countdown clock.
--Here’s something both Democrats and Republicans can agree on: A bipartisan coalition of Mecklenburg County legislators introduced a bill to the N.C. House making sure visitors to the Democratic National Convention can guzzle with gusto after getting off the plane. The bill would keep the Alcoholic Beverage Control stores in Mecklenburg County open on Labor Day Monday for this year only. The holiday exception means local stores wouldn’t be closed for two days in a row – so restaurants, hotels and caterers could stock up on spirits ahead of thousands of convention arrivals. The DNC runs Sept. 4-6.
