Ballance resigns seat in Congress

[Freddie Stubbs]

He cites illness, not investigation into foundation grants

MARK JOHNSON

Raleigh Bureau


U.S. Rep. Frank Ballance, dogged by federal and state investigations into a foundation he runs, resigned from Congress on Tuesday, saying he was too sick to continue representing northeastern North Carolina.

"I am no longer able to carry out the responsibilities of this office," Ballance said in a prepared statement, "due to my current health condition."

Gov. Mike Easley is responsible for calling a special election to fill the 1st Congressional District seat for the remainder of Ballance's term, which ends in January. A stand-alone special election could prove expensive and complicated, but Easley could include the race on an upcoming ballot, such as the July 20 primary.

Ballance's resignation comes as federal and state investigators are examining how Ballance, through a foundation, doled out thousands of tax dollars to family, friends and contributors. His spokesman said the resignation was unrelated to the investigation.

more: http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/8875758.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp

[hedda_foil]

1. Do we have anyone slated for this district?

What's the district like? Is this race winnable?

[Freddie Stubbs]

4. It is a pretty solid Democratic district

so whoever wins the Democratic nomination will likely be elected.

[Auntie Bush]

2. Is he a Rep. or Dem.?

[trogdor]

3. He's one of ours.

From his website:

Ballance was elected to the N.C. House of Representatives in 1982 in the 7th House District and served two terms. In 1988, he was elected to the N.C. Senate representing the 2nd Senatorial District consisting of Gates, Hertford, Northampton and Warren counties as well as parts of Bertie, Halifax and Vance counties. In 1997, he was elected Deputy President Pro Tempore of the Senate, a leadership position he held until being elected to Congress.

Ballance has held numerous civic and political positions including past chairman of the First Congressional District Democratic Party, past first vice chair of the N.C. Democratic Party and past president of the Warren County branch of the NAACP.

He has also been honored with several awards and recognitions. In 1996, he was selected by the N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers as "Lawyer of the Year" and in 2001, he was presented the Thurgood Marshall Award. He was presented the ACLU Frank Porter Graham Award in 1998. The N.C. Committee of the Legal Defense Fund honored him in 1999. He received the "Friend of the Working Man" Labor Award from the AFL-CIO in 2000, and 2001 "Legislator of the Year" Award from the N.C. Low-income Housing Coalition.

Congressman Ballance was elected as president of the Democratic Freshman Class of the 108th Congress and proudly serves on the House Agriculture Committee and the subcommittees on Department Operations, Oversight and Forestry; and Conservation Credit, Rural Development and Research. In addition, Congressman Ballance serves on House Small Business Committee and the subcommittees on Rural Enterprises, Agriculture and Technology; and Tax, Finance and Exports.