Ex-Carolina Panther may challenge Kissell

Fay Observer ^ | 14-May-2009 | AP

[aft_lizard]

CHARLOTTE — Former Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter said Wednesday that he will make a decision in the next few weeks whether to challenge for the 8th District seat.

The seat is currently held by Democrat Larry Kissell, who defeated 10-year Republican incumbent Rep. Robin Hayes in November’s election.

Minter spoke minutes after returning from a two-day visit to Washington where he surveyed the political scene. He said he would discuss the issue with his family and pastor before deciding.

“My thing right now is trying to find the best way I can help people achieve what they need to achieve,” Minter said. “This is just another option that was thrown on the table for me to look at.”

Minter is one of the most popular players in Panthers history. A second-round pick out of Nebraska in 1997, Minter became a mainstay in the Panthers’ secondary and remains the team’s leading tackler. He retired in training camp in 2007 because of chronic knee pain but has remained active in the community.

Minter is involved in several business, charitable and religious activities and has even attempted acting. He’ll play the lead role in a movie, “Sins of Ashe County.” Filming began recently in the Carolinas.

Minter also is coaching a local high school football team and is involved in UNC-Charlotte’s efforts to start a football program. Minter said he also has inquired about coaching that team, too.

“I’m not afraid to look at something or try something to see if that’s an area I want to focus on,” Minter said.

Minter would compete for a seat in 2010 that had been solidly Republican until Kissell edged Hayes in November, one of several seats the GOP lost nationally in the election.

[MitchellC]

NC Ping!

Thanks to Clintonfatigued for the ping.

[CriticalJ]

I always liked Mike Minter when he played. He was very professional and a great role model for the younger players. He was also open about his faith.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"There is another candidate already running, or likely running. He is Union County DA John Snyder, a former aide ot Jesse Helms."

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What percentage of Union County is in the district? I think that after 2002 redistricting the lion's share of the county's popuation (and the most Republican parts of the county) were added to Sue Myrick's NC-09. I would guesstimate that less than 10% of the NC-08's voters are in Union County (does anyone know the number?).

Here's the NC-08: And here's Myrick's NC-09:

[MitchellC]

I’m not sure where to find population or RV numbers, but the votes cast last year from Union in those two races gives you an idea:

8th: 13,761
9th: 70,580

The biggest problems with the district are the overwhelmingly Dem chunks of Charlotte and Fayetteville. Charlotte went 75% for Kissell last year.

[AuH2ORepublican]

Over 281,000 votes were cast in the NC-08 House race in 2008, so less than 5% of its votes were cast in Union County, even less than I had guesstimated. Being a county-wide elected official from Union County may not be all that relevant for the NC-08 race.