N.C. Rep. Jim Crawford, D-Granville, has released his first television ad of the campaign season in the House District 2 Democratic primary, a race that’s sure to prove interesting:
In the redistricting plan, Republican map drawers “double bunked” Crawford with another Democratic incumbent — Rep. Winkie Wilkins of Person County. Double bunking means that two incumbents who once were in separate districts were drawn into the same district. Most times when two incumbents are double bunked, one either retires or seeks another office. In this case, however, both incumbents are in the running.
The primary should prove particularly worthy of attention because Crawford was one of the “gang of five” Democrats who sided with Republicans to override Gov. Bev Perdue’s veto of the budget. Crawford also stepped across the aisle to help Republicans override vetoes on other high-profile legislation, including medical liability reforms and an informed consent for abortion bill. On the budget and abortion bill, Wilkins voted with the Democrats.
As a result, we could see a microcosm of last year’s rancorous budget debate develop in this north-central North Carolina district.
In addition to Crawford and Wilkins, one other Democrat (Jason Jenkins) has filed. So have two Republicans: Jon Gregory Bass and Timothy Karan.
What about the other “gang of five” Democrats? Reps. Dewey Hill of Columbus County, Bill Owens of Pasquotank County, and Tim Spear of Washington County are retiring. Rep. William Brisson of Bladen County is running for re-election and has a primary challenger.
