THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 9, 1994 TAG: 9411090342
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PERRY PARKS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
Democrat W.C. ``Bill'' Owens Jr. claimed victory over Corolla Republican John E. Schrote in the race for the 1st District seat in the North Carolina House as returns crawled in from four Albemarle counties Tuesday night.
With complete results from Camden, Pasquotank and Currituck reporting, Owens held just less than a 2-to-1 lead over Schrote. In Camden it was 1,052 for Owens, 581 for Schrote. In Pasquotank, it was 4,200 for Owens and 2,139 for Schrote.
Schrote did score a victory in his home county of Currituck, according to unofficial returns, which showed Schrote with 1,919 votes in that county to Owens' 1,757.
``I just pledge that I will do the best I can to represent all the people,'' Owens said during a celebration of a Pasquotank County Democratic sweep at B.J.'s restaurant in downtown Elizabeth City. ``Right now I'm ecstatic and very pleased with the results. I'm glad it's over.''
Schrote, 58, conceded with a faxed press release before 9:30 p.m. that congratulated Owens and thanked his supporters.
``Democracy and its success begin at the polls,'' Schrote's statement said. ``Public policy is reflective of the outcome of the election process and the will of the voters has clearly been determined in this case.''
The two men, who each put in long hours during the months-long campaign, took separate tacks on election day.
Around 3 p.m. Tuesday, Owens was still campaigning, saying by car phone he had been to more than half the precincts in his district. Schrote remained at his Corolla home, satisfied with an hourlong radio spot that had closed out his campaign Monday night.
Owens, 47, has served on the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners for 18 years. A lifelong county resident, he attended Elizabeth City High School and College of The Albemarle.
Owens' campaign focused on what resources he could bring to the Albemarle area, such as roads, water and sewer facilities, and education support. He has promised to rely on his extensive contacts with the state's highest political leaders to accomplish his regional goals.
Owens raised $40,000, which he poured into television, radio and direct mail ads to plug his image and connections. Schrote pulled in about $20,000, mostly from out-of-state contributors who included high-profile Republicans that Schrote worked with in the federal government.
Even cross-party endorsements for Owens by several Pasquotank Republican leaders did not faze Schrote, who maintained confidently he would win more than 90 percent of the Republican vote and take a chunk of the Democrats with him.
KEYWORDS: ELECTION NORTH CAROLINA RESULTS by CNB