It’s time to cross Janet Cowell off the Democratic Senate candidates list. Yesterday she sent an e-mail to supporters saying she was running for a third term as State Treasurer, taking a U.S. Senate run off the table. Cowell’s announcement is no surprise to insiders, many of whom were skeptical about her interest in the contest in the first place.

Cowell’s decision is likely a disappointment to the DSCC, who were relying on Cowell as their “Plan B” in case their top choice, Kay Hagan, declined to run. We’re still waiting on Hagan to decide, but word is that national Democrats are finally starting to take notice of her poor favorable ratings. Hagan is no dummy and if the PPP numbers showing her in rough shape are confirmed by private polling, she’ll probably opt out of a race.

If not Hagan or Cowell, who’s left? There are a couple of possibilities, all of them either current or former legislators: State Sen. Dan Blue, former State Sen. Cal Cunningham, State Sen. Jeff Jackson, and Rep. Grier Martin to mention a few. There’s still plenty of time for them to decide. Elaine Marshall, the nominee against Burr in 2010, didn’t declare her campaign until November of the year before the election. And both Kay Hagan and Cal Cunningham initially decided against bids but changed their minds and also entered in the last months of the off-year.

More political news: former Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker appears interested in a bid against longtime Commissioner of Labor Cherie Berry, whose face is in every elevator. Sen. Buck Newton (R-Wilson) looks like he’s gearing up to run for Attorney General against Sen. Josh Stein (D-Wake). No word on what Sen. Tamara Barringer’s plans are.

John Wynne

John Wynne is the “conservative voice” at PoliticsNC, where he also provides polling analysis and commentary on legislative campaigns. When not writing about politics, he enjoys gardening and listening to opera. Contact: johncwynne@gmail.com.