Who will challenge Burr?

Published May 3, 2015

by Thomas Mills, Politics NC, May 1, 2015.

North Carolina Democrats are starting to get a bit nervous about the lack of a US Senate candidate. 2016 could be a good year for Democrats, the first in awhile. The Republican-led legislature and Congress are unpopular, Attorney General Roy Cooper will be a formidable opponent to ethically challenged Gov. Pat McCrory, the make up of the electorate should be more favorable to Democrats and Barack Obama will not be on the ticket. 

Yet nobody is stepping up to the plate to take on Richard Burr even though he’s relatively undefined and can’t get his approval numbers out of the low 30s. Transportation Secretary and former Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx apparently told Burr that he wouldn’t challenge him when the Senator supported his nomination as Secretary of Transportation. State Treasurer Janet Cowell announced last week that she’s running for re-election. None of the rest of the Council of State or Congressional delegation appear interested. 

Apparently, much of Washington wants Kay Hagan to run again. She’s a proven fundraiser and just ran a strong campaign in a tough year. However, her approval rating is upside down and voters just rejected her. She may look better in a few years, but right now the sour taste of a nasty $125 million, year-long campaign still lingers. She would be better poised in a re-match against Thom Tillis in 2020.

Young Democrats in North Carolina and some in Washington like state Senator and Afghan war vet Jeff Jackson. Jackson may be the most talented young politician in the state. He grabbed national attention twice when a floor speech in the Senate went viral and he lit up twitter with the hashtag #JustOneLegislator when he showed up at the legislature as the lone Senator on a snow day and proceeded to “pass” a bunch of progressive bills. He innately understands how to communicate in today’s digital world, something that’s eluded older politicians. He’s also good looking, has a growing young family and is smart–all assets in today’s political environment.

However, Jackson has yet to serve a full term in the state Senate. His thin resume would be a big liability, especially to older voters and seasoned donors. To run, Jackson would have to give up his Senate seat. North Carolina is not kind to young, talented politicians, even veterans, who move too fast. Just ask Eric Mansfield and Cal Cunningham. Without the advantage of elected office as a platform, it’s difficult to stay relative in the ever-changing political world and a loss to Burr could set back his promising political career. 

There is a young legislator with a military background who could be a contender. Grier Martin has served numerous terms in the House and hails from Raleigh. He comes from a politically connected family and married into another one. He’s smart, likable and accomplished. However, so far, he’s not made any noises about running. If he did, Washington and North Carolina should take him seriously.

My choices right now are UNC President Tom Ross and Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue. I like them for very different reasons. As I wrote earlier this week, Blue could be the right candidate at the right time. An African-American with gravitas and connections, he could attract national attention at a time when racial tensions are high and America needs strong black leaders with perspective and wisdom. 

Ross, on the other hand, could enter the fray without the baggage of a legislative record but the a solid record of public service stretching back three decades. At a time when access to higher education is high on the public’s agenda, Ross could make the race about providing the tools of opportunity to build a workforce for the post-Great Recession 21st century. He’s also got the national ties to put together a powerful fundraising machine and the gravitas that would make him instantly credible.

Other people may be considering the race but nobody’s made any movement yet. House Minority Leader Larry Hall, former Congressmen Heath Shuler, Mike McIntyre and Brad Miller have been mentioned but none have been very visible. A self-funder could step up but after North Carolina’s experience with John Edwards, voters might be a bit skeptical. Somebody will emerge, though, and the race in North Carolina will be competitive.

May 3, 2015 at 2:17 pm
Johnny Hiott says:

Why do democrats in NC even need to challenge burr ? Most of the time he votes with the liberals !

May 4, 2015 at 8:59 am
Frank Burns says:

Not much of a bench for the Democrats. Too bad, cry me a river.