The battle lines have been drawn-and redrawn-but the major issues and the brand of conflict for North Carolina's fourth congressional district seat seem certain to remain the same.
Throughout the summer and up to the November election, Republican Tom Roberg will challenge incumbent Democrat David Price, a professor of political science at the University. With no significant opponents for either party entered in the May 5 primary, the two combatants have begun focusing on each other.
The recently redrawn lines for the fourth district includes all of downtown Durham. Robinson Everett, professor of law at the University, successfully sued the state, arguing that some previous N.C. districts were unconstitutionally drawn along racial lines. Last September, three federal judges ruled that the redrawn districts were constitutional.
Under the system in effect for the 1996 elections, half of Durham was in the black-majority 12th district, now represented by Democrat Mel Watt, who is black; the other half was in the white-majority 2nd district, represented by Democrat Bob Etheridge, who is white.
Nevertheless, this year's candidates-both of whom are white-said the redistricting would not affect their campaign strategies. "I'm comfortable with the district," Roberg said.
Price, whose current district includes significant portions of Wake and Orange Counties, also said the change has not compelled him to focus of his campaign on different issues.
With concerns about race less pressing, the candidates have geared their campaigns more toward policy concerns. One of the major differences between the two candidates, Roberg said, is on the issue of education. The incumbent focuses too extensively on helping college students, he argued; if elected, he continued, he would work to improve primary education.
Price answered this criticism by reiterating his support for President Bill Clinton's plan to hire 100,000 new elementary school teachers. He also indicated his support for magnet schools and other enrichment programs.
Roberg said his second major goal is a reduction in both the size of the federal government and its intrusiveness on the lives of the American people, partly by establishing a "fairer, flatter tax system." He expressed support for a flat tax or a federal sales tax.
Price, who was defeated in 1994 by former Raleigh Police Chief Fred Heineman and regained his seat in 1996, said his central goals are to stabilize Social Security and Medicare and maintain a balanced budget. He also said he wants to improve the nation's transportation system.
Roberg has also issued Price a challenge on campaign finance. He said Price should not accept contributions from political action committees or "soft money"-unlimited contributions to political parties that are permissible through a loophole in federal election law. He also urged incumbent to limit campaign contributions to $600,000.
Price responded to Roberg's campaign finance challenges by saying that he will rely on traditional "grass-roots" support.
"I always financed my campaigns from individuals," he said, "not millionaires."
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