NRCC MEMO: NORTH CAROLINA PRIMARY RESULTS
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NRCC MEMO: NORTH CAROLINA PRIMARY RESULTS TO: INTERESTED PARTIES SUBJECT: NORTH CAROLINA PRIMARY RESULTS North Carolina voters turned out tonight to send a message to Washington: It’s time to put an end to the Obama-Pelosi agenda of reckless tax-and-spend policies. With a skyrocketing deficit and an out-of-touch liberal agenda, the political environment has Democrats on the defensive and Republicans well-positioned to pick up seats in November. The results of the congressional primaries in North Carolina prove that Republicans are energized and poised to run aggressive campaigns in three competitive districts currently held by vulnerable Democrats. Challengers: NC-07 (Rep. Mike McIntyre, D) Veteran and entrepreneur Ilario Pantano won an impressive majority of the primary vote and will face veteran Rep. Mike McIntyre in November. At a time when our nation faces a struggling economy and skyrocketing unemployment, McIntyre – an out-of-touch career politician – will have trouble separating himself from his vote for President Obama’s trillion dollar stimulus failure. Ilario Pantano began his career of public service at the age of 17 when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Following his deployment during the Gulf War, Pantano completed his Bachelor’s Degree in economics, worked in the financial industry and started his own company. Witnessing the 9/11 attacks inspired Pantano to return to the service of his country, where he led Marines as an officer during some of the fiercest fighting in Fallujah during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since then, he’s been serving his community in North Carolina as a Deputy Sheriff. Pantano has received recognition as an On the Radar candidate enrolled in the NRCC’s Young Guns Program. History. Democrat Congressman Mike McIntyre currently represents North Carolina’s Seventh Congressional District. McIntyre has held onto this Cook R+5 District since 1997 and calls himself a Blue Dog Democrat; however, Nancy Pelosi continues to push him to toe the party line. A majority of voters in the district have traditionally voted for Republican presidential nominees. In 2008, North Carolina went to Obama, but John McCain carried the district by 5 points. Geography. North Carolina’s Seventh Congressional District is located in southeastern North Carolina and stretches from Fayetteville down to Wilmington. The district covers the edges of Fort Bragg and includes the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
NC-08 (Rep. Larry Kissell, D)
In a runoff election seven weeks from tonight, GOP voters will choose either Tim D’Annunzio or Harold Johnson to face freshman Rep. Larry Kissell in November. In a year when House Democrats are running to separate themselves from their radical leadership, Kissell will have a tough time defending his near-constant support of their agenda in the general. Despite his claims of independence, Kissell supports the job-killing Nancy Pelosi agenda 96.1 percent of the time. In a district hard-hit by economic distress, that record will prove difficult to overcome.
Tim D’Annunzio is a candidate for Congress. Harold Johnson, a former Marine and award-winning WSOC-TV sportscaster, broadcasted nightly sports news on TV and radio for more than three decades in the Charlotte region. Nicknamed “The Big Guy,” Johnson was a 4-time EMMY winner as the Mid-South’s Sportscaster of the Year. In Washington, Johnson promises to fight for job creation and against wasteful government spending on behalf of the struggling middle-class families of North Carolina. Johnson has received recognition as an On the Radar candidate enrolled in the NRCC’s Young Guns Program.
History. Democrat Congressman Larry Kissell is a freshman Democrat representing a district that Bush carried in 2004 with 54 percent of the vote and Obama carried in 2008 with 52 percent. The district was previously represented by Republican Robin Hayes, who held the seat for five terms. After losing to Hayes in 2006, Kissell defeated him in the Democrat wave year of 2008. The district is rated as Cook R+2. Geography. North Carolina’s Eighth Congressional District includes a large portion of southern North Carolina covering eastern Charlotte and stretching to Fayetteville.
NC-11 (Rep. Heath Shuler, D)
GOP voters convincingly chose small businessman Jeff Miller to face sophomore Rep. Heath Shuler in November. Shuler claims to be a Blue Dog, but voted in favor of the Democrats’ trillion dollar stimulus and job-killing cap and trade bill. Shuler has also been under fire from western North Carolinians for a pattern of dishonesty as it relates to his role in a questionable land deal – perhaps a reason for his weak showing in the Democrat primary.
Jeff Miller, a native North Carolinian, began his career working for his family’s dry cleaning business, which has been in operation for 95 years. His passion for working with military veterans and his involvement in civic groups has garnered him numerous awards, including the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Bush in 2008. Miller is the founder of Honor Air and co-founder of Honor Flight Network, both nonprofit organizations that fly thousands of World War II Veterans to Washington D.C. to see the World War II monument while being recognized for their outstanding service to America. Miller has received recognition as an On the Radar candidate enrolled in the NRCC’s Young Guns Program.
History. Democrat Congressman Heath Shuler defeated 8-term Republican Congressman Charles Taylor in the Democrat wave year of 2006 and was re-elected last cycle, when he beat Asheville City Councilman Carl Mumpower. The 11th District is traditionally one of the most competitive districts in North Carolina and is rated as Cook R+6. Geography. North Carolina’s Eleventh Congressional District encompasses most of western North Carolina. It includes the city of Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Election Results: The following are the unofficial results from Tuesday’s runoff election in North Carolina. These results are UNOFFICIAL AND INCOMPLETE until certified by the North Carolina Secretary of State: NC-07 (Rep. Mike McIntyre, D) NC-08 (Rep. Larry Kissell, D) NC-11 (Rep. Heath Shuler, D) ### |