As the Senate campaign to replace Jesse Helms heats up, Duke students may have extra incentive to take notice--two candidates in the race are Duke graduates.
Elizabeth Dole, Woman's College '58, has a virtual lock on the Republican nomination and Daniel Blue, Trinity '70, and Law '73, is seeking the Democratic nomination but faces a difficult battle against such figures as Erskine Bowles, a former White House chief of staff during the Clinton administration.
Mary Brown Brewer, spokesperson for the Dole campaign, said Dole would reach out to voters across the state but that Duke has a large number of students who could identify with Dole's undergraduate experience at the University.
"I would be surprised if she did not come by Duke," Brewer said, while noting that she did not know of any current plans to do so.
Senior Courtney Laginess, president of the Duke College Republicans, said the group was in negotiations with the campaign to bring Dole to campus. He added that he has noticed increased interest in the race from Duke students.
"As far as enthusiasm here at Duke, a lot of people are excited not only because she's a Duke graduate, but [because they] have the opportunity to get involved in an election with national consequences," he said.
Laginess added that several Duke students are already volunteering in the hopes that their Duke ties will help get them jobs if Dole wins the election.
Sophomore Sarah Hawkins will work in Dole's press office this summer.
"I think it's a really good fit because Dole went to Duke, she's from North Carolina and her career path kind of mirrors what I'd like to do," Hawkins said. "For me, it's a good match."
Many Duke students are already getting involved in the race on Dole's behalf.
A group of sisters from Delta Delta Delta sorority, of which Dole was a member, went to Salisbury, N.C., earlier this month to help Dole kick off her campaign. There is even a Students for Dole group at Duke.
"The reason we decided to start a club for her specifically is a lot of people may not want to affiliate with a club if it is just Republican," said Mary Ellison Baars, a freshman.
Baars said the club will work to bring Dole to Duke and help out with the campaign in whatever way possible.
Officially, however, the University will not get involved with the Dole campaign. Both Dole and Blue have been active alumni--Blue currently serves as a Trustee and Dole served 11 years on the Board in the 1980s--but John Burness, senior vice president for public affairs and government relations, said there are no special events planned for either the Dole or Blue campaigns.
"While we are pleased that a number of Duke alumni are running for the Senate, Duke does not endorse political candidates," he said. "Indeed, I believe if we were to do so, it would threaten our non-profit status."
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