Mike Minter will not run for Congress.

The former Carolina Panthers safety told the Associated Press that he has decided against running against Democratic Rep. Larry Kissell next year.

National Republicans had tried to recruit him and he spent two days in Washington, D.C., in mid May talking with them.

But he decided the campaign would have forced him to be away from his four children too much. Instead, he said he would support former Republican Rep. Robin Hayes if he ran again.

As a first-term Democrat in a swing district, Kissell is a top target for the GOP.

Former Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter may run for Congress.

One of the most popular players in the franchise's history, Minter recently returned from a two-day visit to Washington, where he surveyed the political scene.

The registered Republican told a reporter he may challenge first-term Democratic Rep. Larry Kissell, a former schoolteacher. First, he plans to check with his family and his pastor.

"My thing right now is trying to find the best way I can help people achieve what they need to achieve," he said. "This is just another option that was thrown on the table for me to look at." 

Minter is currently involved in several religious and charitable activities and will play the lead role in the upcoming movie, "Sins of Ashe County." (AP) 

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory raised $6.4 million in his run as the Republican nominee for governor.

McCrory, who entered the race after his fellow Republican candidates were well underway, raised $1.1 million from Oct. 19 to the end of the year, according to campaign finance disclosure reports.

McCrory's biggest donors in the quarter included Morrisville developer Benjamin Ward, NASCAR chief executive Brian France, Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, Jerry Smith, president of the Le Bleu water company, Ronald Day, chief operating officer of RBC Centura Bank.

He also received major contributions from the N.C. American Indian PAC, the Green Industry Council, the N.C. Association of CPAs and the N.C. Chiropractic PAC.

McCrory spent about $6.4 million on his campaign, leaving him with $66,700.

Sarah Palin challenged North Carolina voters Thursday to choose Republican Sen. John McCain's promise to balance the federal budget in four years, bring tax relief to every American and drill for offshore oil.

Before an energetic crowd that nearly filled an Elon University baseball field, the vice-presidential candidate on McCain's ticket urged voters to reject what she described as Democratic Sen. Barack Obama's plan to redistribute wealth and raise taxes, Josh Shaffer reports.

"It's the choice between a politician who puts his faith in government," Palin said, "and a true leader who puts his faith in you."

Thousands packed the sun-blazed field in support of Palin, including five students who painted her name on their bare chests, along with a sixth who painted an exclamation point.

The Palin trumpeted McCain's performance in Wednesday night's presidential debate, saying her running-mate will reform the waste that led to the nation's financial crisis.

"John McCain is going to Washington to work for Joe the Plumber," said Palin, referring to the everyman voter who unintentionally became the star of Wednesday's debate.

Palin drew cheers, but the loudest reception came for country music legend Hank Williams Jr., who performed a song he wrote for the campaign to the tune of his hit "Family Tradition."

He wore a Carolina Panthers jersey with his nickname "Bocephus" stenciled on the back. 

Robert Pittenger received $1.9 million in contributions by the end of June.

The Republican nominee for lieutenant governor raised $435,102 in the second quarter of 2008, according to his most recent campaign finance report.

Major donors included real estate developer Justus Ammons, Carolina Panthers coach John Fox and Carolina Mills chairman George Moretz.

He also received money from political action committees such as Carolina Conservatives, the Kerr Drug PAC, Wal-Mart's Wal-PAC, the Mid-Atlantic Emergency Medical Association PAC and the Wilmington Anesthesiologists PAC.

His campaign still owes a $500,000 loan from his wife, Suzanne.

He spent $450,216 in the second quarter, leaving him with $316,190 in cash on hand.

Update: Pittenger also gave his own campaign $150,000 in the second quarter.