• We have winners! Barry Smith reports on the statewide election results in today’s Carolina Journal Online. The big shock was in the 6th Congressional District Republican runoff, where Greensboro minister Mark Walker soundly defeated Rockingham County District Attorney Phil Berger Jr., son of the state Senate leader. But there’s more here.
• The New York Times notes that vulnerable Democratic Senate incumbents — including North Carolina’s Kay Hagan — are more than holding their own raising money for their re-election bids.
• Meantime, veteran D.C. political watcher Stuart Rothenberg moves Hagan’s contest against GOP House Speaker Thom Tillis and Libertarian Sean Haugh from “tossup” to “tossup/tilts Democrat.” Rothenberg says the race “remains a question mark” but cites polls giving Hagan consistent (though slight) leads, her fundraising edge, and the “controversial” General Assembly.
• Also on the money trail, 2nd Congressional District Democratic nominee Clay Aiken reports raising $450,000 in the second quarter of this year, nearly $100,000 more than GOP incumbent Rep. Renee Ellmers. Federal Elections Commission reports continue showing Ellmers with a significant edge in cash on hand, with $405,000 in the bank, compared with the “American Idol” runner-up’s $209,000.
• Retiring 7th District Rep. Mike McIntyre is sitting on $450,000 cash in his campaign account, and the Lumberton Democrat has no plans to donate any of the money to other candidates, as the law allows. A number of cash-poor Democrats could use some help. McIntryre can spend the money to shut down his district operations, provide small gifts to staff members, and assist charities, among other things.
