An interview given by Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest confirms what’s pretty much an open secret in Raleigh: he has aspirations for higher office. Forest, the son of former U.S. Representative Sue Myrick, wants to be governor. If McCrory gets another term (and even if he doesn’t) Forest will probably be a strong contender for the gubernatorial nomination in 2020.

Forest has good political skills. He was an architect, not a career politician. And he’s deftly been able to bridge the divide between the establishment wing and the conservative wing of the Republican Party. He’s a staunch social conservative with deep ties to the evangelical community, but doesn’t come across as divisive or angry.

His rising star status in the Republican Party is one reason Democrats have put a target on his back. Forest’s initial election in 2012 was extremely close and came about largely on the coattails of Pat McCrory. While they’re not running on a ticket, McCrory and Forest are almost a package deal. If McCrory loses, Forest is in danger as well.

Right now there are a few Democrats looking to challenge Forest. The best-known is former Office of State Personnel Director Linda Coleman, who came close to winning in 2012. But some in the party think it’s time for someone new, like Buncombe County Commissioner Holly Jones. Former NC Assistant Secretary of State Robert Wilson is another candidate, and it’s possible more could throw their hats into the ring.

Forest’s challenge is to survive. If he does, he’ll be the frontrunner for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in 2020. That’s why Democrats are intent on denying him another victory. While the McCrory/Cooper race is going to get a heck of a lot more press, the outcome of the lieutenant governor race will have important implications for the state’s future.

3 Comments

  1. Ghost of Reagan

    “He doesn’t come off as angry or divisive.” Speak for yourself. I’ve found that he combines the thuggish entitlement of a Charlotte frat boy with the weird chip-on-the-shoulder persecution complex of the Christian Right. It’s an unsavory mixture.

    • Brad

      Ghost

      I agree. Have worked with Dan Forest and people like Dan Forest for years, and they all have that entitlement attitude along plenty of sanctimony(God is on my side). His dull(maybe I am overstating) personality masks a dangerous ethos that a lot of conservatives seem to display these days.

  2. Brad

    Worked with his firm in where he was an “architect”. Never really saw any of his work. Not sure that was what he did. Least personalty of any man I ever met. Should be a great Republican governor.

Related Posts

GET UPDATES

Get the latest posts from PoliticsNC delivered right to your inbox!

You have Successfully Subscribed!