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Dy ANGIE DORM AN
Since the early days of the 1980 gubernatorial
campaign Cov. Jim Hunt has maintained a
substantial lead over t his opponent, state Sen. I.
Beverly Lake Jr.
Most political experts agree this lead is virtually
insurmountable: Hunt not only is a Democrat in a
traditionally Democratic state, but he is considered
one of the most powerful governors in North
Carolina history, both politically and legislatively.
It is this power that Lake has criticized, saying that
the Hunt political machine is one of the most
manipulative and corrupt in the state's history.
Lake says the very fact that Hunt is running for re
election proves his argument. Both Lake and former
Cov. Bob Scott, whom Hunt defeated easily in the
Democratic primary, have maintained that Hunt
pushed an amendment to the state constitution
allowing governors to run for a second term through
the 1977 legislature for his own benefit.
If re-elected, Hunt would become the first two
term North Carolina governor since Reconstruction
under the new amendment.
'. .' During the campaign, continued attacks on his
administration have often kept Hunt on the
defensive.
Lake accused the governor of trying to buy state
employees' votes with a 10-percent pay raise, and of
making political payoffs through job training
contracts.
Denying or explaining all charges made against his
administration, Hunt has simply said, "I'm running
on my record."
Hunt is proud of that record, boasting that he has
brought $7.2 billion into North Carolina through
investments in new industries and claiming that
elementary education in North Carolina schools is at
or above the national achievement level.
Hunt has placed his' strongest emphases on the
state's education and economy, but has also
concentrated on pushing bills through the N.C.
General Assembly to improve the state's highway
system, increase crime prevention, promote the use
of alternative energy sources, provide special help
for senior citizens and increase the coordination of
programs for children, including health, and day
care.
Because Hunt's programs have provided some
gain for nearly every North Carolinian, he has built a
strong political base at the grass-roots level across
the state.
, He also has won the support of most of the state's
farmers, saying he would keep tobacco the leading
crop in the state and take advantage of world
markets for North Carolina's products.
His education programs, which include the
passage of the minimum competency test, the
annual testing program, and a primary reading
program, "have been widely accepted as progress in
education.
These programs, coupled with other
accomplishments over the last four years, have been
the basis for his re-election campaign. Hunt's slogan
for the 1980 race is "Now we're really getting
somewhere."
While polls show the incumbent holding a
commanding lead over Lake, the governor is taking
no chances down the homestretch. He has spent
more than $2.1 million on the re-election campaign,
half of it since the primary in May. Contributions
have poured in from across the state, from both
individuals and corporations.
In the closing weeks of the campaign. Lake has
increased his attacks on Hunfs administration and
personal integrity. But the incumbent has fended off
the challenger's criticism and is sitting back waiting
to see if the voters of North Carolina think the Hunt
record speaks for itself and can win him another four
years in office. .
Angie Dorman is a staff writer for The Daily Tar Heel.
Lake campaign sir esses attack-
By MARK ANCONA
Since announcing his candidacy for governor last year,
Republican I. Beverly Lake Jr. has campaigned largely by
attacking incumbent Cov. Jim Hunt's administration.
While the challenger has presented several positive
programs a li-percent reduction in state spending, for
example for the most part his campaign has been
characterized by a steady questioning of Hunt's integrity
and charges that the Democrat has built a political
machine. "We have the most corrupt administration we
have had this century," Lakei a former Democrat, said
recently.
In the past several months, the challenger has tried to
steer clear of public appearances, preferring to
concentrate on press conferences and television
advertising. Lake's campaign is being handled by the
Congressional Club, a conservative political organization
based in Raleigh.
"We are concentrating on press conferences and
financing," said Carter Wrenn, the club's treasurer. "Our
decision is to stay away from civic clubs. We feel that our
time is better spent on generating press coverage."
Robert Harris, Lake's campaign research director, said
the Republican was trying to show voters that Hunt's
administration had too much power. "The way Hunt runs
the government is a good example of the way a politician
behaves in office," Harris said "We want to restore
government to the people."
Last week Lake launched a $150,000 television
advertising campaign. Several of the commercials link
the gubernatorial candidate with Republican presidential
candidate Ronald Reagan. But despite the media blitz.
Lake still will fall short of the $300,000 Hunt has
budgeted for advertising.
Although Lake claims he is within striking distance of
Hunt, many polls show the former state senator to be
trailing the incumbent by as much as a 3-1 margin. Even
with Congressional Club backing, Lake also has been
hampered by a lack of funds. '
While this is his first attempt to become governor. Lake
, has had a great deal of experience in politics. He served
six years as assistant attorney general and later deputy
attorney general for North Carolina. In 1976 he was
elected state senator, a position he held until deciding to
run for governor. As a state senator, he supported and
occasionally sponsored some of Hunt's legislation.
"I've said all along there are things I like about Jim
Hunt personally," Lake said. "We have gotten along. We
have been, friendly; not friends, but friendly. He is the
consummate politician and I'm not. I think that's his basic
weakness."
Lake's most recent attacks on the Hunt administration
include claims that there is a move toward socialism in
North Carolina government . "Let's call it what it is," he
said. "The trend is to move everything toward the
government."
The Republican also has focused on attributing a
possible gas tax increase to Hunt. A commission
appointed by Hunt is considering substantially increasing
the. current 4-cents-per-gailon tax to help replace lost
revenues in the Highway Fund, which finances road
construction and maintenance.
Lake has opposed the additional tax and said in his
commercials that if re-elected. Hunt would continue to
put a tax burden on the citizens of North Carolina.
In the past two weeks Lake also has tried to present a
more positive image and promote his own programs.
Earlier this nonih he issued a broad platform that
concentrates on reduced government spending, a halt to
forced busing and improved education programs.
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"My positive program is nothing new," Lake said.
"Unfortunately it did not attract enough press coverage
under ordinary circumstances."
Throughout the campaign Lake has remained
confident of victory, despite his low standing in the polls.
"We're exactly where we thought we ovj l to be a year
ago," he said. "We're roughly 10 p rct ntaje points from
where we need to be to win,"
Msrk Anconj is a iUtf writer lor Ihe Gliiy lar littl.