A recent survey conducted for Onslow County Commissioner Joe McLaughlin (R), who is challenging Rep. Walter Jones Jr. (R) from the right, showed McLaughlin within striking distance of the seven-term incumbent.

In the poll of 500 likely primary voters, 47 percent said they approve of Jones’ job performance, while 43 percent disapprove. In a ballot test, 43 percent of those surveyed picked Jones, 41 percent chose McLaughlin and 11 percent were undecided.

The automated survey, conducted by Pulse Opinion Research on Feb. 7, had a 4.5-point margin of error.

Democrats May Hit FCC Boss With Complaint

The North Carolina Democratic Party said Wednesday that it has begun looking into homegrown Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin, who is considered a future Republican candidate for political office.

The party alleges that the chairman’s numerous trips back to state on official business are scouting missions for a potential Congressional or statewide run after 2008.

“Members of Congress who are running for office are closely regulated to ensure that they are not campaigning on the taxpayer dollar — why shouldn’t Kevin Martin be held to the same standard?” state party Chairman Jerry Meek said in a statement. “Our citizens deserve to know whether their taxpayer dollars are being used for Kevin Martin’s political gain.”

Martin, who was a campaign lawyer for President Bush in 2000, worked under special prosecutor Ken Starr during the 1990s. He is considered a promising potential Republican candidate for any number of offices after his expected resignation from the FCC next year.
— Matthew Murray