She worked her way up the hard way. She deserves to be in the United States Senate, and North Carolina deserves to have a senator of her high caliber.

The Pilot endorses Democrat Elaine Marshall because of her intelligence, background and understanding of issues facing the average North Carolinian.

Incumbent Sen. Richard Burr offers pluses of his own. As a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, he has shown enthusiasm in supporting benefits for military families. He stands on the moderate side in the Republican Party and isn’t afraid to veer from a radical platform on occasion, as when he supported stem cell research.

But we cannot go along with his stand on such issues as health care reform. Not only did he vote against this bill, but now he also supports outright repeal. He voted against extending the children’s health care program, with funding from a tobacco tax. He voted against extension of unemployment benefits for people who just want to feed their families and themselves while they search for work.

Modernized Her Department

When it comes to fiscal conservatism, it would be difficult to find a public official better acquainted with frugality than Elaine Marshall. For one thing, she has run a campaign with almost no money.

Obviously, the biggest of the special interests have been uninterested in pouring money into her campaign, and the Democratic National Committee has paid little more than lip service to her presence in this important race. In contrast, Burr’s campaign has racked up $9 million.

With all this opposition, Elaine Marshall must be doing something right.

As North Carolina’s secretary of state, she ushered her important department into the technology age by introducing e-commerce and providing online registration for lobbyists and businesses.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, usually at the head of the line when it comes to supporting business interests, has recognized her work as secretary of state, as has her law school alma mater, Campbell University. That’s a lot to say for a public servant labeled a liberal.

A Record of Hard Work

Marshall grew up on a family farm and pitched in to help with the farm work in her childhood. She is a product of public schools and, upon graduation from the University of Maryland, became the first member of her family to earn a college education. She went on to study law, all the while making a living in business and teaching.

Before her election as secretary of state, Marshall served in the state Senate from 1992 until 1996. She has legislative, administrative and business experience.

Libertarian Michael Beitler, the third candidate, is an interesting addition to the scene, and his platform — conservative on fiscal matters, liberal on social issues — is intriguing. This university professor has won endorsement from the N.C. Cannabis Patient Network. However, his party’s vigorous anti-government views are so vague as to be scary.

The Pilot’s hearty endorsement of Elaine Marshall is based on her experience, positive outlook and willingness to work for the betterment of the many, not the privileged few.