Posted on 05/28/2009 9:32:59 PM PDT by MitchellC
CHARLOTTE, N.C. North Carolina voters aren't likely to get a chance to send a second ex-NFL player to Congress.
Former Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he has decided against seeking the Republican nomination for the 8th District seat in 2010.
Ex-Washington Redskins quarterback Heath Shuler, a Democrat, holds the state's 11th District seat. Republicans hosted Minter in Washington earlier this month in hopes the popular ex-Panther would decide to challenge Democrat Larry Kissell, who beat 10-year Republican incumbent Robin Hayes in November's election.
Minter said he decided the job would put too much of a strain on his family.
"Giving it all you can give to run for a race like that and then having my kids at 14, 12 and the twin girls at 7, that was something that was weighing heavily on my heart at this point," Minter said.
Minter said he would throw his support behind Hayes if he decides to run again for the suburban Charlotte seat.
"He's thinking about it and not sure what he's going to do at this point," Minter said.
Hayes said he asked Minter to consider running because he thinks Minter would make a great candidate. Hayes indicated he hoped to make a decision by the middle of summer.
"I want to be sure we have a really quality candidate running in the 8th District," Hayes said.
A second-round pick out of Nebraska in 1997, Minter became a mainstay in the Panthers' secondary and remains the team's all-time leading tackler. He retired in training camp in 2007 because of chronic knee pain.
Minter is involved in several business, charitable and religious activities and has even attempted acting. He'll play the lead role in a movie that begins filming next month.
Minter is also coaching a local high school football team and is involved in UNC Charlotte's efforts to start a football program.
I wonder if he figures they have something ‘on’ him?
and I also wonder if he’s related to Mary Miles Minter. Long shot?
I’m sure the DCCC started digging through his trash the moment they heard the speculation.
And yeah, it’d be a very long shot since Mike Minter is black and Mary Miles Minter was white.
Oh. Well, that answers my question, thanks:)
Didn’t live then, but her pictures fascinate me.
Minter out.
Too bad.
I don’t think Hayes is running again either.
Good, no more rinos. Can’t say I blame Minter either. He should see if he can get back into football.
Have Pat McCory run for the seat or is he waiting for Bev Purdue to screw up and run for Governor again? I sorry for Pat McCory and Dino Rossi. They were on the verge of winning the Governorships of NC and WA, but the financial crisis ruined everything for them.
Seems like a legitimate reason not to run and one I can support. Maybe after the kids go off to college, he can think about it again.
McCrory lives in Sue Myrick’s district (not that it technically matters, of course). I have to wonder if he’d be any better than Hayes. I suspect he’ll run against Perdue, or who knows, maybe Kay Hagan.
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