Chris Mintz, a Republican activist who switched to the Democratic Party to run for office, pleaded guilty this month to embezzling more than a million dollars from two elderly clients.

Mintz, a financial advisor, is a former chairman of the Wake County Republican Men's Club. He switched to the Democratic Party in 2005 and ran unsuccessfully in that party's primary for the N.C. House of Representatives in district 41 against Ty Harrell, who resigned Sunday. Mintz considered a run for state treasurer in 2007.

Mintz, 34, pleaded guilty to fraud by an investment adviser on Sept. 9. He moved securities from his clients' accounts to his own, selling the securities and wiring the money to his personal account, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 7 in U.S. District Court in New Bern.

The robocalls are coming fast and furious now.

After the jump, a list of recent automated phone calls to North Carolinians based on reader submissions.

As always, send your reports of robocalls to dome@newsobserver.com

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Chris Mintz is no longer running for state treasurer.

The Raleigh businessman said he decided earlier this week because he has a new business project that is taking a lot of time. He was also worried about the "crowded field" in the race.

"Looking at the political landscape, I think that I can best serve the party and the state in some other capacity," he said.

In the near future, Mintz plans to help Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue with fundraising in her campaign for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, and he said he may endorse one of the treasurer candidates.

Mintz, who lost a state House primary to Rep. Ty Harrell in 2006 and announced his run for treasurer in June, said he'll be working behind the scenes for the next few years.

"I definitely have an interest in public office, but I want to spend the next few years helping other candidates," he said.

State Sen. Janet Cowell and Raleigh attorney Michael Weisel are also running for the Democratic nomination to replace Richard Moore, who is running for governor. On the Republican side, Rep. Bill Daughtridge and Rep. Dale Folwell are running.

Michael Weisel is running for Democratic nomination for state treasurer.

In an e-mail sent to Democrats on Sunday, the Raleigh attorney said he wanted to be state treasurer to protect North Carolina's AAA bond rating, to protect the integrity of the pension funds, to make sure children have financial literacy and help families afford college, Rob Christensen reports.

"I believe the job of state treasurer is more than just managing money," Weisel wrote. "It's about helping people to manage their own futures," Weisel writes.

Weisel, a former money manager and former Wake County Democratic chairman, unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for treasurer in 1996 against incumbent Harlan Boyles.

The decision by state Treasurer Richard Moore to run for governor next year, has set off a scramble for treasurer. Among the Democrats looking at the race are state Sen. Janet Cowell of Raleigh; Chris Mintz, president of Mintz Investments in Raleigh; David Young, Buncombe County commissioner; and Carranza Pryor, a lawyer at TIAA-CREF in Charlotte.

David Young, a Buncombe County commissioner, is looking at running for state treasurer next year.

"I'm absolutely looking at the race," Young said. "It fits my background and personality."

Young, 47, has served 16 years as a county commissioner and is the incoming president of the N.C. Association of County Commissioners. He runs a travel agency and served on the University of North Carolina Board of Governors.

Young is one of a growing number of Democrats looking at running for the seat of state Treasurer Richard Moore, who will run for governor next year.

Carranza Pryor, a lawyer for TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, is thinking about running for state treasurer next year, So is Raleigh attorney Michael Weisel, state Sen. Janet Cowell and Chris Mintz, president of Mintz Investment Companies.

A lawyer for TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, Carranza Pryor, is thinking about running for state treasurer next year, reports the Char-O.

If Pryor runs, he'd face state Sen. Janet Cowell and Chris Mintz, president of Mintz Investment Companies, in a primary. Raleigh lawyer Michael Weisel is thinking of jumping in, too.

Rep. Dale Folwell is going to run for state treasurer.

The Winston-Salem Republican said Thursday would make a formal announcement in about three weeks.

Folwell, 48, is in his second term. For a relative newbie in the minority party, he has been unusually successful in getting bills passed. For example, he sponsored the law that will have fewer 4-year-olds eligible to start kindergarten in a few years.

The former investment manager said he wants to be state treasurer because it's a position that plays to his strengths.

"Managing money is what I do best, and what I've always told people is focus on what comes easy to them and hard to other people." 

Sen. Janet Cowell plans to run for state treasurer next year.

Cowell, who will turn 39 this month, had considered running for the Democratic nomination for treasurer in January, but had put off a decision until the end the legislative session, Rob Christensen reports.

"I am going to run," Cowell said.

Cowell said she has been talking with major groups — state employees and teachers — that have a particular interest in the state pension fund which is managed by the state treasurer's office.

"It's an awe-inspiring office," Cowell said. "More than any office I've considered, its been a long process of reflection."

More after the jump.

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A Raleigh businessman is running for state Treasurer.

Chris Mintz, president of Mintz Investment Companies, announced he will run this week, saying he hoped to maintain the state's credit rating, protection the state employees' retirement fund and push North Carolina companies to operate in "an environmentally friendly manner."

In a statement, he also said he would push for financial education:

"Our children should leave high school knowing how to manage debt and keep good financial records so that they can prepare for their future."

In 2006, Mintz ran for the Democratic nomination for state House District 41, losing to Rep. Ty Harrell in the primary amid criticism for switching parties. (He previously was chairman of the Wake County Republican Men's Club.)

And yes, he plans to run for the Democratic nomination for treasurer.