Allran survives challenger in 42nd; In 44th, Democrat Cates beats political newcomer

Wednesday, May 7, 2008
By Hannah Mitchell and Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writers

Longtime Republican state Sen. Austin Allran survived a serious primary challenge Tuesday from Catawba County commissioner Kitty Barnes, moving toward another two-year term representing the 42nd District.

No Democrats were running.

With all but three precincts reporting, Allran led 65 percent to Barnes' 35 percent.
The 42nd covers Catawba County and part of Iredell.

The race turned testy early, with Barnes accusing Allran of breaking a no-taxes pledge because he supported hotel occupancy tax increases requested by local governments, and with Allran calling Barnes a liberal.

In the short campaign season, Barnes portrayed Allran as out of touch with constituents, ineffective, and unwilling to work with the Democratic power structure in Raleigh to help the district.

Allran, who has served in the senate for 22 years, countered that Barnes has stymied economic development in Catawba County by being too eager to raise taxes and said she has no experience in state lawmaking.

Allran said he wants to develop the district's economy by working to cut the state's corporate and personal income tax rates to stimulate business while decreasing spending on economic incentives used to lure big corporations.

Senate District 44

In the neighboring 44th District, which serves Burke and Caldwell counties, a former Burke County commissioner beat out a political newcomer for the Democratic party's nomination.

Based on partial results, Jim Cates, a former schoolteacher who served as a Burke County commissioner for seven years before stepping down in 1985, easily defeated former Marine officer and truck driver Danny Hefner of Lenoir.

Cates, 70, will face Republican incumbent Jim Jacumin of Rutherford College. Jacumin, 71, is seeking his third term.

With all but 12 precincts reporting, Cates received 65 percent versus Hefner's 35 percent.
Cates, who lives in Morganton, said bringing new industry, finding ways to conserve energy, education and health care are big issues, and that he's focusing on listening to voters' concerns rather than pinpointing specific issues.

Hefner, 42, said he would like to focus on bringing more jobs and a better economy to a region hit hard by the recent exodus of furniture jobs, finding ways to provide affordable health care and better benefits for teachers.

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