• 2nd Congressional District Democratic candidate Keith Crisco airs his third campaign ad, this one highlighting Social Security and Medicare. Crisco faces Clay Aiken and Toni Morris for the district’s Democratic nomination.

http://youtu.be/j511INPqLIY

• In the Republican primary for the 2nd District, first quarter fundraising totals are in, and incumbent Rep. Renee Ellmers has more than $400,000 cash on hand. Her opponent, investment adviser Frank Roche, reports less than $9,000 in the bank.

• He’s in: House Speaker Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, changed his mind and decided to participate in the Wednesday GOP Senate debate sponsored by WRAL News. Tillis initially demurred, but now he will join Dr. Greg Brannon of Cary, Wilkesboro nurse Heather Grant, and Charlotte minister Mark Harris in the televised debate.

• Greensboro City Council member Zack Metheny, who’s running for the Republican nomination in the 6th Congressional District, lands on the National Republican Congressional Committee’s “On the Radar” list, meaning he has met certain fundraising goals and may be considered for help from the congressional PAC if he wins the nomination. He has competition for the “Young Gun” designation in the 6th District from Phil Berger Jr., who was acknowledged in February by the NRCC.

Roll Call recently took note of the nine-man 6th District primary, which may be headed to a July runoff.