Apparently great minds think alike – or at least the minds of Democratic politicians in North Carolina. Today both State Senator Josh Stein and Spring Lake Mayor Chris Rey announced that they were seeking higher office. To no one’s surprise, Stein is seeking the Attorney General position. Rey is running for U.S. Senate, which makes him the first announced challenger to Richard Burr.
Stein is from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, representing a Raleigh-Cary district with a large number of white liberals. He’s definitely a candidate of the new North Carolina. He’s also Jewish and if elected would probably be the first statewide official to be of that religion. Most people think that if Stein is successful in claiming the Attorney General spot, he could one day be a contender for the governorship.
In the general, Stein will have to get past either State Sen. Buck Newton of Wilson or Jim O’Neill, District Attorney for Forsyth County. The GOP plans to make a real effort in this race; they hope to depict him as John Edwards’ Igor who is too left-wing to defend the state constitution from the federal government. The continuing battle over gay marriage will probably be a major issue.
Today was supposed to be Stein’s big day but he has to share the spotlight with Mayor Rey, who as the first challenger to Richard Burr is going to get a lot of buzz. Rey is black and also an Iraq war veteran, which could aid in getting out the Democratic base and appealing to moderates, respectively. We’re still waiting on former State Rep. Deborah Ross to make her intentions known, and also State Sen. Joel Ford. If Ross doesn’t run, State Rep. Duane Hall is a possibility as well. Filing is in three months so potential candidates don’t have a long time to make up their minds.
And of course, we’re still on pins and needles trying to figure out what Roy Cooper’s going to do.
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.
Pins and needles indeed. Good one!