Republican campaign for (NC) U.S. Senate remains undefined

Charlotte Observer ^ | March 17, 2014 | John Frank

[Din Maker]

Keith King pushed aside a half-eaten plate of barbecue, slaw and hushpuppies. He needed to make a point. “Hagan,” he said with conviction, “is set to be beat.”

For the Republicans gathered last week for a county convention at King’s Restaurant, the sentiment was universal.

What King – and most of those in the room – didn’t know is which Republican candidate is the best challenger for Democratic U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan. “I do not have a favorite,” said King, a former Lenoir County GOP chairman running for school board. “I need to hear more.”

Six weeks before early voting begins for the May 6 primary, the race remains undefined. Even the most ardent Republican voters, like 48-year-old King, remain ambivalent in one of the nation’s most closely watched races.

“The fact that 55 percent of Republican voters are this undecided this close to the primary … means this primary is truly anybody’s guess on where it can go,” said Matthew Faraci, the executive director at American Insights, a Raleigh-based outfit.

Tillis, whose stature and campaign cash were expected to vault him easily to front-runner status, is instead deadlocked at the top with first-time candidate Greg Brannon, a Cary obstetrician. And little-known Wilkesboro nurse Heather Grant, who like Brannon is posing as a Tillis alternative, finds herself within the polling margins for the top spot.

“I think the Republican primary voter wants to beat Hagan in the worst possible way,” said Republican media strategist Marc Rotterman. “So I think they will coalesce around someone who they believe has the best chance to defeat her.”

“There are so many candidates, and each has their own strength,” the 57-year-old pharmacist said. “And we want to be very discerning. We don’t want to make a mistake.”

[Din Maker]

little-known Wilkesboro nurse Heather Grant, who like Brannon is posing as a Tillis alternative, finds herself within the polling margins for the top spot.

Hmmmm..... Could Heather Grant be the Alternative to Greg Brannon and his "law suit baggage"? She would be an equalizer for the women's vote in a one-on-one race with Hagan.

[Vinnie]

Well, several more candidates emerge in the news.
Tillis, Brannon, Harris, Grant.
There are 4 others I believe.

Six weeks away. Hmmm