CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Voters will see plenty of familiar names on the North Carolina ballot this year, but none as familiar as North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall. She was first elected to the post in 1997, and was the first woman to hold statewide office.
"I think experience is what matters, and with age comes experience and wisdom," Marshall said on WCNC Charlotte's Flashpoint.
The NC Secretary of State's office is responsible for a wide range of business and commerce duties. All new businesses and charities must register with the office.
"Our mission is to support economic development in this state," she explained.
Marshall faces Republican Chad Brown, who currently serves as chairman of the Gaston County Commission. He argued, based on the conversations he is hearing in the business community, the Secretary of State's office needs to modernized.
"They talk about how cumbersome it is to get through the system," he added.
Brown touts his record of attracting businesses as mayor of Stanley and county commissioner.
"All business is the foundation of this country, is gonna be the foundation of what we have in North Carolina," he said.
Early voting in North Carolina starts Thursday, Oct. 17.
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