Kinnaird not ready to decide

bkrueger — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:46:37 -0400

Getting an answer from state Sen. Ellie Kinnaird about whether she plans to run for re-election has been like trying to catch mist.

"I have until February until I make that decision," Kinnaird, a Carrboro Democrat, said today.

Word has circulated among Orange County Democrats that Kinnaird plans to retire. But Kinnaird, who is in her sixth term, said she still has issues to work on, such as a prohibition on executing the mentally ill, reports Lynn Bonner.

Kinnaird has searched for a Democratic woman to run to succeed her. So far, only men have announced their interest.

Kinnaird said she is concerned about depleting the already thin ranks of women in the state Senate. There are seven women serving now, and the numbers may drop with Sen. Janet Cowell, a Raleigh Democrat, running for state treasurer.

"I'm very concerned that we have a representative number of women," Kinnaird said.

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Kinnaird not ready to decide