As challenger talks scandal, Black focuses on experience
Monday, October 30th, 2006
By Chris Fitzsimon
Jordan mocks speaker; Black dismisses attacks
JIM MORRILL
jmorrill@charlotteobserver.com
Mecklenburg County has never had a legislator with the clout of Democrat Jim Black.
As speaker of the state House for eight years, Black has been one of the General Assembly’s two most powerful people. He’s championed education and economic development and was instrumental in bringing Johnson & Wales University to Charlotte and state money to UNC Charlotte. He just presided over a legislative session that boasted tax cuts, pay raises and ethics reform.
But this year, Black faces his toughest challenge.
Twenty-four newspapers, including The Charlotte Observer, have called on him to resign as speaker in the wake of a series of scandals.
Black’s opponent, Republican businessman Hal Jordan, mocked him with signs that read "House for Sale."
"The big issue," says Jordan, "is `Do you trust your representative?’ I think the answer for a lot of voters is, they do not trust Jim Black and they’re looking for an alternative."
Black, 71, says he isn’t worried.
"I’m confident that the voters in my district will re-elect me based on my long record of accomplishments on improving education and creating new, good paying jobs," he says. (more…)
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