“This Shows the Power of the Grassroots”

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Jim Neal won North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District Straw Poll Saturday with 54% of the vote, besting his better funded rival in the May 6th primary.

“Today’s results show the power of the grassroots. The people in the 10th Congressional District spoke, and their voice is louder than insider money and TV ads. Despite being outspent two to one, our message is getting through. North Carolinians are supporting our movement for a government that works for all the people,” Neal said.

District Chairman Tony McEwen said: “Strength for a Democratic candidate in this type of more rural setting is certainly a great indicator of which candidates will fare best in the general election. For a Democrat to be successful statewide in North Carolina, they not only will have to get support from urban areas but also be able to pick up more conservative voters in rural counties, like you will find in the 10th district.”

People lined up early at the Newton-Conover Civic and Performance Place in Newton for the event, which included a barbeque lunch and bluegrass music as well as balloting. Doors opened at 11 a.m. and a crowd had already gathered by 10:30 in the morning.

Shortly after noon, Neal gave a rousing speech to the hundreds gathered at the event. Senator Hagan also attended and spoke after Neal.

Two of the three minor candidates in the U.S. Senate race attended, but did not speak. The three minor candidates did not earn a single vote among them – an interesting development since they were eligible to vote for themselves. The winner in the May 6th primary will face off against Republican incumbent Senator Elizabeth Dole.

When the final results were tabulated, Neal’s grassroots movement for the U.S. Senate nomination had earned 127 votes to Senator Kay Hagan’s 108.

Other results in the Straw Poll: Obama 138, Clinton 109; and Perdue 129, Moore 115.

The 10th Congressional district is comprised of Catawba, Cleveland, Burke, Lincoln, Iredell, Caldwell, Rutherford, Avery, Mitchell, and Gaston counties.