• A Wake County jury found Dr. Greg Brannon guilty in a civil fraud lawsuit filed by two former investors in a failed Internet startup founded by Brannon and a business partner. Brannon’s partner was found not guilty by the same jury. The Cary OB/GYN, who’s running for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, vows to appeal the verdict, meaning the controversy will remain alive for weeks if not months more. As the jury was deliberating, radio/TV host Glenn Beck interviewed Brannon and said he had a “man crush” on the candidate.
• Another significant GOP contender for Democrat Kay Hagan’s Senate seat, House Speaker Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, said he has made few public appearances because he needed to raise money for his campaign. He said he would be much more visible from now on, and was “chomping at the bit” to talk about his record and his plans.
• Rockingham County District Attorney Phil Berger Jr., former High Point Republican Party chairman Don Webb, and Jamestown attorney Kenn Kopf have filed for the Republican nomination in the wide-open 6th Congressional District. Four other Republicans have filed for the seat, and two others have said they plan to run.
• Insider/outsider charges flew in the 7th Congressional District as House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., made fundraising stops for Republican candidate David Rouzer. Challenger Woody White said Rouzer would be a reliable vote for Cantor and the Republican establishment; Rouzer countered that he would be his own man and White lacked the experience to be an effective lawmaker.
• The latest candidate filing list from the State Board of Elections is here (PDF).
