Ryan Teague Beckwith, Staff Writer

News & Observer

A Chapel Hill investment banker hopes to challenge U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole in 2008.

Jim Neal, 50, is a relative unknown who has never run for political office. But he does have experience in an area that will matter a great deal in the race: fundraising.

In 2006, Neal took the year off from work to raise money for retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark’s and U.S. Sen. John Kerry’s presidential campaigns.

He said he plans to take another year off and tap into that same network of donors to raise the millions necessary to challenge Dole, an incumbent who is nationally known.

“I’m looking forward to introducing myself to the electorate,” Neal said. “I don’t have any name recognition, so I’m going to spend the next year winning the confidence of the people of North Carolina.”

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