Former State Rep. Deborah Ross has resigned from her job as counsel at the Triangle Transit Authority in order to commit full-time to “considering” a run against U.S. Senator Richard Burr. That’s a fairly significant step … and it’s not that difficult to think it’s an indication that she’s a bit farther along in the decision process than she’s letting on. My not-quite-going-out-on-a-limb guess: Ross is as good as in.
If (when) Ross enters, she’d immediately start out as the frontrunner in a Democratic primary. While mayor of Spring Lake Chris Rey is a compelling candidate, his newness on the scene would make it difficult for him to compete with Ross on the fundraising front. Rey would probably be able to count on the support of the African American community, but Ross would get support from women’s groups, which has greater sway with a larger number of Democratic voters. If State Senator Joel Ford enters, he and Rey would be going after the same voters, complicating matters further.
The big concern about Ross, and one you’ll probably hear voiced by her primary foes, is that she’s just too left-wing to win statewide. A Ross nomination would be historic; typically Democrats running for U.S. Senate here tend to be very much of the center-left variety. A Ross/Burr contest would be one between a committed liberal and a center-right incumbent with a long record of service.
No matter who the Democrats nominate, they’ll be at a disadvantage against Burr. But a more moderate candidate would be better-positioned to take advantage of a shift in the political environment which could make Burr vulnerable. The fact of the matter is, there’s more to the state than the Research Triangle and Asheville. Color me skeptical that Ross will find enough appeal outside the major urban centers in order to eke out a victory next November.
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.
A.D. Reed has the right idea.
I agree with Norma. For the same reason that Bernie Sanders is electrifying huge crowds wherever he goes, and for the same reason that radicals on the right have succeeded for years across the country (and recently in this state), people vote A) their fears and B) their passions. Well, the GOP has a lock on tapping into insecure peoples’ fears, and they’ve learned to turn those into wedge issues that excite those voters’ passions. Meanwhile, the Democrats have reacted by turning right and then more right, leaving behind all the issues and positions that once excited voters’ passions: education, good roads and infrastructure, opportunity to help your children and grandchildren succeed, a vision of a brighter future for everyone instead of just the 1 percent.
Lukewarm sucks. Passionate and sensible and dedicated to “we the people” gets people involved.
Democrats support good public schools for everyone, and since we all go to school, and we all benefit from an educated workforce, and well educated people get better jobs and earn more money, Democrats believe in taxing ALL people to pay for education for ALL people. What’s wrong with that?
Democrats believe that the working people whose labor and ideas make companies profitable should benefit with raises and pensions and better opportunities as the companies grow and thrive, instead of all the profits going to the boss and the shareholders. What’s wrong with that?
Democrats understand that commerce cannot thrive without good roads, bridges, power systems, clean water, clean healthful air, and the rest of our natural and man-made infrastructure. They believe that since everyone needs those things, everyone should help pay for them, through taxes–the price we pay for civilization. What’s wrong with that?
This is the kind of message the Democrats need to be putting out there every day. If they do, they’ll win. It might take a few election cycles to throw all the right wing radicals out of Raleigh, but it will happen … if there’s passion and common sense.
Sorry, but the concept of a “moderate” Democrat in NC is too often a barely disguised person who no longer has a home in the new Tea Party GOP. I want change and someone worth working to get elected. Lukewarm is not going to get me to bother with money or work.
The women, particularly the Democratic and Independent women, will turn out for Hillary. It’s the perfect time for a very smart, experienced woman like Deborah Ross, to run.
North Carolina is purple state with Republicon super-majorities in the House and Senate. Yes, we need moderate to win because, as a whole, the state is very moderate. Former US Representative Heath Shuler of Waynesville would capture the support of some conservatives, a critical ingredient to winning the general election.
Burr’s popularity with a lot of Republican voters is not impressive. Some even view him as a traitor for his Obamacare cloture vote, and that’s just the start of their grievance list. They’d ditch him for Shuler in a minute. But the Party isn’t going to nominate a moderate.
It’s significant that you call Sen.Burr a moderate conservative when he votes with his very conservative party leadership on almost every vote. And is Ms Ross more center left?
I once saw her command a room of old veteran white male rural legislators at an Ag. committee meeting. I would not underestimate her.
Collegiality is not the same as moderation. Even Jesse Helms got along with his colleagues. I like Ross, but let’s be realistic.