State Sen. Ellie Kinnaird (D-Orange and Person), one of the most liberal voices in the General Assembly, had been telling people she would not run for a seventh term. That changed yesterday when she announced her intent to seek re-election. That decision came as a surprise to the three Democrats who had decided to seek the seat of what they thought was a retiring senator. Two have decided not to run — Carrboro Alderman John Herrera and Orange County Commissioner Mike Nelson. The third, Orange County Commissioner Moses Carey, says he’s still in the race.
What is most interesting to me is that Kinnaird asked nine women to run for her seat and all nine declined, says the story. These nine women have every right to choose not to run. However, the next time someone decries the lack of opportunity for women in North Carolina politics, remember the Kinnaird case, not to mention that the state might elect a female governor next year. There was no lack of opportunity here. Just a lack of interest.
