Incumbent Robinson Faces Alston In Senate District 28 Primary | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: The author of this post is Joe Johnson, who is a contributor to the Carolina Journal, John Hood Publisher.

Former Guilford county commissioner Alston should pose tough challenge

    GREENSBORO     State Sen. Gladys Robinson is facing her stiffest election test to date in the May 6 Democratic primary for District 28 as she squares off against former Guilford County Commissioner Skip Alston.

    Barring the entry of a write-in or unaffiliated candidate, the winner of this race presumably would win the seat, as no Republicans have filed for the November general election.

    Voter makeup in District 28, covering roughly one-fourth of Guilford County, is 67.5 percent Democrat, and 63.7 percent black, according to the North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation. President Obama in 2012 received the support of 74.4 percent of voters, and 69 percent backed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Walter Dalton.

    After Robinson succeeded Sen. Katie Dorsett in 2010 with no opposition, her election bid in 2012 was wrapped up in the primary. Robinson's task is the same in 2014, and she had $8,182 campaign cash on hand at the end of 2013 to achieve it. But she has a stronger opponent in Alston, who has attacked her as being ineffective. His cash on hand was not available.

    "I've served Guilford County well but being in the minority party does affect your ability to get a lot done," Robinson said. "But what I am an advocate for, those people hear from me on a regular basis."

    Robinson said she is relying on her extensive experience in health and human services as the basis for her campaign. Her political goals are to improve the economy, education, and health care.

    She said the state must do a better job providing access to medical care.

    "We've denied access to people who need to be served," Robinson said.

    Education cuts also have hurt the state and Guilford County, Robinson said.

    "It's going to be tough," Robinson said. "We have to prepare kids from the very beginning. Guilford County is struggling to maintain the same level it has in the past."

    Expanding educational opportunities through charter schools is good, as long as all the teachers in charter schools are certified, according to Robinson. At present, only 50 percent of charter school teachers meet the same certification standards as district school teachers.

    Alston, who served as a Guilford County commissioner from 1992 to 2012, said he entered the race because he feels the district needs stronger leadership in Raleigh. He questioned Robinson's effectiveness in working across party lines to get legislation passed.

    He pointed to the paucity of bills sponsored by Robinson that actually were considered by the General Assembly.

    "I know I will be in the minority if I am elected, but that's no excuse," Alston said. "She hasn't worked effectively across the aisle. That's sad. You have to find things that are not partisan, and put those ideas forward. I am positive that I can work with Republicans."

    Alston said his campaign is focusing on education, jobs, homelessness, veterans' issues, school bullying, and alternatives to incarceration.

    "Increasing funding for education and higher teacher pay is the priority," Alston said. "Reducing homelessness in North Carolina, and improving the jobs and economic outlook, those are just common sense."

    Alston called his campaign an aggressive, door-to-door effort to get his message out to voters.