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CHRISTOPHER COLE

Libertarian

Birthdate: Jan. 17, 1964.

Birthplace: Decatur, Ala.

Lives in: Huntersville.

Education: Bachelor of arts, psychology employment, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 1986.

Occupation: Manages contract post office.

Web site: www.lpnc.org/2008/us_senate.php

ON THE ISSUES

End war in Iraq.

Abolish personal income tax.

Restore the gold standard and abolish the Federal Reserve System .

Enact free-market health-care reform.

Create an anti-bureaucratic response to illegal immigration

TRIVIA

Cole is running as a third-party candidate. The Libertarian Party was only recognized in North Carolina in June, so Cole did not run in a primary race.

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ELIZABETH DOLE

Republican

Current office: U.S. senator.

Birthdate: July 29, 1936.

Birthplace: Salisbury.

Lives in: Salisbury and Washington.

Spouse: Former U.S. Sen Bob Dole.

Education: Duke University, 1958; Harvard University, master's degree in education and government, 1960; Harvard Law School, 1965.

Occupation: Former member of Federal Trade Commission, Secretary of Transportation under Reagan, Secretary of Labor under George H.W. Bush, former president of American Red Cross.

Political career: Campaigned for 2000 presidential Republican nomination but withdrew before the first primary. ... Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002.

Web site: www.elizabethdole.org

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Dole, with N.C. Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue, claims responsibility for preventing military base closures in 2005. ... Dole passed a tobacco quota buyout, secured funds for the Blue Ridge Parkway and beach renourishment, and voted against oil drilling off the coast of North Carolina.

ON THE ISSUES

Education: Secure federal grants for community colleges, improve teacher pay and increase teacher tax deductions, restore local and parental control of schools.

Foreign relations: The United States can't be a global policeman but has a responsibility to the citizens and government of Iraq.

Health care: Set up association health-care plans so small businesses can purchase plans together, expand Medical Savings Accounts so workers can use tax-free dollars to purchase health care.

Taxes: Supports making 2001 tax cuts permanent and reducing tax rates on work, savings and investment.

Federal government: Reduce regulations and "hidden" taxes on businesses.

TRIVIA

Dole and her husband, Bob, ran unsuccessful presidential campaigns. Bob Dole lost to Bill Clinton in the general election in 1996. Elizabeth Dole dropped out of the 2000 race before the first primary. ... Dole was the first female Secretary of Transportation and the first female departmental head of a military branch, the U.S. Coast Guard, as transportation secretary.

Full questionnaire

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KAY HAGAN

Democrat

Current office: State senator.

Birthdate: May 26, 1953.

Birthplace: Shelby.

Lives in: Greensboro.

Spouse: Chip.

Education: Florida State University, bachelor of arts in American Studies, 1975; Wake Forest University, juris doctorate, 1978.

Occupation: Left a job at a bank after her third child was born.

Political career: N.C. Senate, 1998-present.

Web site: www.kayhagan.com

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

As the state Senate's budget committee co-chairwoman, Hagan helped produce balanced budgets, provide disaster funding to western North Carolina after 2004 hurricanes and increase teacher pay.

ON THE ISSUES

Budget and economy: Supports balancing budget, middle-class tax cuts, closing loopholes to multinational corporations and supporting small businesses.

Education: Provide more flexibility and funding in No Child Left Behind, competitive salaries for teachers, strengthen early education programs.

Health care: Extend health-care coverage to children, allow small businesses to purchase insurance together, and permit government to negotiate for lower drug costs for Medicare patients.

Military and veterans: Supports better pay for those in service and opposes long-term deployments. Opposes an N.C. outlying landing field and wants to negotiate an option that works for North Carolinians and the military.

National security and Iraq: Supports a responsible withdrawal from Iraq to focus on al Qaeda, push for diplomacy in regions surrounding Iraq, bring the National Guard home from Iraq so they are available in the event of national emergency.

TRIVIA

Hagan's uncle, Lawton Chiles, served 18 years as a U.S. senator from Florida and went on to become governor of Florida.

Full questionnaire