There?s an interesting development in House District 73, which includes Eastern Forsyth County and Northeastern Davidson County. Rep. Michael Decker, formerly a well-known conservative Republican, switched to the Democrats in 2003 and created a 60-60 split in the House, thus paving the way for the current Jim Black-Richard Morgan co-speakership. Then Decker switched back to the GOP in 2004 and surprised many by announcing plans to seek re-election. Kernersville Mayor Larry Brown decided to challenge Decker in a GOP primary, calling himself a “true Republican.?

The latest action was a filing for the seat by Michael Smith, chairman of the Davidson Libertarian Party. Smith is cheering for Decker to win the GOP primary, thinking (probably correctly) that he might actually have a chance of defeating Decker in the general election given the likelihood that many Republicans will never vote for Decker again and could be wooed. If this scenario develops, expect national Libertarians to try to help Smith in a state that has never elected a Libertarian to public office (though I believe North Carolina has had officeholders switch to Libertarian after their election).

Obviously, if I?m stating this incorrectly, someone will immediately correct me.