Staff report

Three Democrats will face off in Tuesday's primary to see who challenges long-time 6th District Congressman Howard Coble in the fall's general election.

All three of the Democrats — Dr. Teresa Sue Bratton, Johnny Carter and Jay Ovittore — are relative newcomers to the political landscape.

Here's a rundown of the three:

- Bratton, 59, a native of Tennessee, is a pediatric allergist who practiced medicine for years in Guilford County.

Though she retired in 2006, Bratton continues to run the allergy/asthma clinic for indigent children at Guilford Child Health, where she also teaches UNC pediatric residents.

"I believe that Democrats and independents and moderate Republicans are looking to the future and are concerned about jobs, about health care, about education, and they are not seeing the answers from the Republican party," Bratton said.

Her training in the sciences, she said, is something she can bring to bear on legislation affecting environmental issues, alternative fuels and global warming. Her Web site is www.teresasuebratton.com.

- Carter, 59, is a contracting firm manager from Summerfield. He favors a free college education and free health care for every American. According to his campaign Web site, Carter favors year-round school attendance that will allow students to complete of high school by the ninth grade. He would then offer them a free education at a college or trade school.

Carter's Web site also warns of secret government plots to open America's borders and marginalize its workers at all income levels. It also contains a lengthy section about "enemies of Christ."

- Ovittore, 34, is a former musician and owner of a house-painting business in Greensboro. The New Jersey native has been a rising star in Guilford County politics since he started blogging in 2004.

He gained name recognition within the party during the Vernon Robinson/Brad Miller contest for North Carolina's 12th District in 2006, needling the Republican candidate as a "carpetbagger" and "Darth Vernon."

Ovittore promotes universal health care, reversing the NAFTA free trade agreement and penalizing businesses that move operations offshore at the expense of American jobs.

With the exception of the city of Salisbury, most of Rowan County is included in the 6th District.

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