Document Actions
Monday: Playing Catch-Up
posted at 2007-03-12 16:16 | Last modified 2007-11-14 10:38
Pile on
State Senator Walter Dalton (D - Rutherford) announced today he's officially running for Lieutenant Governor. No big surprise there - his candidacy's been talked about for a year now. Within 20 minutes, his challenger, former Easley aide Hampton Dellinger, sent out an email reminding everyone he's in the running, too
No word yet from other interested Dems, like Canton Mayor Pat Smathers, Surry Representative Jim Harrell, or Winston-Salem councilman Dan Besse. On the GOP side, the only name floating around so far is Ed Broyhill.
And former Gov. Jim Martin is the latest NC GOP leader to board the McCain bandwagon. Martin announced his endorsement today.
Sen. Jeanne Lucas
Durham State Senator Jeanne Lucas passed away last Friday after a protracted struggle with breast cancer. Lucas, 71, was the first African American woman to serve in the state Senate. She rose to become Majority Whip last session, but health problems kept her out for much of this session. "Queen Jeanne" will be sorely missed. The Durham Herald-Sun has more.
Friends in high places...
Charlotte's David Ingram reports two aides to Governor Mike Easley crossed the line in helping longtime Easley ally Jo Anne Sanford set up her consulting business after she stepped down as chair of the state Utilities Commission. Through a spokesperson, Easley said he wasn't aware of the "inappropriate" actions of Alan Hirsch and Hawley Truax. The whole story is here.
...or maybe not so high
The N&O's Dome reports Easley ranks 47th out of 50 in a study of governors' relative power across the states. The study is part of a new book by retired Chapel Hill political science professor Thad Beyle.
Black foes at odds
Several former Republican state lawmakers were quick to call attention to Gary Robertson's story on their calls for Black's ouster. But it didn't take them long to start squabbling over how to spin it. Former State Senator Fern Shubert and former Rep. John Rhodes are set to roll out their "Told Ya So Tour." (No, I'm not making that up - you can read her email here.) Current Guilford Rep John Blust responded that it isn't about vindication - it's about what comes next. That was right after Blust told Shubert supporter former Sen R.L. Clark he sounded like an "angry crank" who "checked [his] brain at the door." Ouch.
Comments? Drop me a line.
