Sorry folks, I didn't intend to go so long without a ping to this thread, so this will be a long one.
First, another reminder that the latest list of candidates is at the top of my About page. If I'm missing anything, let me know.
US SENATE: Civitas polled the Democratic side of the race and found that none of the candidates have made a splash. (Post
40)
US House Dist. 3: Former Onslow County Commissioner Joe McLaughlin may make another run at Walter Jones in the Republican primary, and has been criticizing Jones in letters to the
Jacksonville Daily News. McLaughlin received 40% against Jones in 2008.
Another Republican, Sperby Piner of Onslow County, has entered the race, and Bob Cavanaugh of Carteret County says that he'll drop out if McLaughlin enters the race. (Post
60)
US House Dist. 4: 2008 Republican nominee BJ Lawson is said to be
considering the race again.
US House Dist. 6: James Taylor (no, not that one) is challenging Howard Coble in the primary and got a write-up in the Burlington News-Times (post
34) but Taylor's first campaign event mentioned in that article has been
postponed due to the weather.
US House Dist. 7: Ilario Pantano, a Sheriff's Deputy and Marine Corps officer from New Hanover County, has entered the Republican primary (post
44). Pantano was wrongly accused and later acquitted of premeditated murder in Iraq, and wrote the book 'Warlord' about his experiences (
recent and
older articles on the incident).
Will Breazeale claimed some big name
endorsements, including Pat McCrory, Duncan Hunter and John Linder.
US House Dist. 8: Democratic incumbent Larry Kissell has gained a primary opponent, Nancy Shakir of Fayetteville, and has lost the support of the woman who chaired his 2006 and 2008 campaigns. (Post
49)
On the Republican side, Lou Huddleston received the endorsement of Panthers star Mike Minter. (Post
41)
US House Dist. 10: Patrick McHenry has less money on hand than either of his two primary challengers, Iredell County Commissioner Scott Keadle and Vance Patterson of Burke County. (Post
47)
US House Dist. 11: Dan Eichenbaum of Cherokee County has been winning early straw polls. (Post
48)
US House Dist. 12: Write-ups on the two Republicans running to face Mel Watt, Doc Gillenwater of Greensboro (post
37) and Paul Johnson of Tyro (post
38).
US House Dist. 13: Two write-ups on Bill Randall's official campaign opening, in front of Brad Miller's office in Raleigh. (Posts
32 and
33)
NC Senate Dist. 8: Republican Bill Rabon of Brunswick County, and Democratic state Rep. David Redwine are running to replace RC Soles. (Post
39)
NC Senate Dist. 40, NC House Dists. 99, 101 & 102: A civil war is brewing between Mecklenburg Democrats. Rep. Nick Mackey rigged a party election to replace outgoing Sheriff Jim Pendergraph in 2007. In 2008, the NC Democratic Party threw out the results of the election and made Mackey's opponent Sheriff. Mackey then got revenge on the Democratic establishment by defeating incumbent Rep. Drew Saunders in the 2008 primary.
Two months ago, Democrat
Rodney Moore announced he would challenge Mackey in the primary, and last week a number of Mackey's friends entered races to challenge establishment Democrats Sen. Malcom Graham and Reps. Beverly Earle and Becky Carney (post
43)
Mackey claims it's all just a coincidence, but they ain't buying it. Stock up on popcorn because it's a war between the crooked and the even more crooked.
NC House Dist. 20: Republican
Tristan Patterson of Tabor City is challenging incumbent Democrat Rep. Dewey Hill. (Post
42)
NC *Ping* ![](http://www.freerepublic.com/images/flags/us/norcarlC.gif)
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