'Loaded, individualized questions'

Former Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson took a seat next to me and whispered in my ear that "there have been some loaded, individualized questions" in the middle of a candidates forum at NC A&T University tonight.

To be sure.

Most of the heat took place during the final panel, which included primary opponents in NC Senate District 28 and NC House District 58, and individual candidates in NC House districts 60 and 62, after candidates for US Senate and US Congress had cleared the building.

One of the questions for NC Senate District 28 candidates Evelyn Miller and Gladys Robinson pertained to whether the candidates would have thrown their hats in the race if the seat's current occupant, Katie Dorsett, had chosen to run again.

Robinson looked offended.

After a moment's hesitation, Miller answered.

"I did not know that Katie Dorsett was not running," she said. "So yes, I guess that would answer the question."

Robinson regained her poise.

"Let me say very clearly, that I respect Dr. Dorsett," she said, "and no, I wouldn't run against her. And I would expect also, too, that most of you respect people like Mayor Yvonne Johnson and others who've done a great job and wouldn't run against them either because we have supported those candidates. They brought back assets to our community. Now I'm running because I can do a good job. And I know I can."

Marcus Brandon was the sole candidate present in the Democratic primary for NC House District 60, with an unexplained absence by incumbent Earl Jones. It was Michael Garrett, the Republican primary challenger, in the NC House District 62 race, who really pleased the predominantly African-American crowd with the energy and rhetorical finesse that he deployed in attacking incumbent John Blust — also absent.

Garrett took aim at Blust's uncompromising conservatism and partisan approach to politics, which he argued has made his opponent one of the most ineffective legislators in the House.

"We can't afford to mark one up for Republicans," Garrett said. "We can't afford to mark one up for Democrats. It's time to start marking one up for North Carolina."

Garrett added later that his responsibilities as a representative would be "not just for my district in northwest Guilford County, but for all of Guilford County. We're all in this together."

A supporter of Alma Adams, the Democratic incumbent in NC House District 58, asked the candidates if they understood the responsibilities of the job. Adams has held the seat for more than 16 years.

Primary challenger Ralph Johnson drew applause with his answer: "To represent the community."

Adams drove hard, alluding to her position as chair of the House Appropriations Committee: "I am in the room when the final decision is made about A&T. We brought $53 million to edge of the district for the nanotechnology campus."

Ralph Johnson asked voters to consider how the district has fared under Adams' leadership.

"Drive around east Greensboro, and look at the lack of amenities," he said. "Ask yourself: Is this the best we can do?"