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State Sen. Ellie Kinnaird announced today she is running.

As recently as yesterday, the six-term senator, a Carrboro Democrat, had been coy about whether she planned to run for re-election, saying she had until February to decide, Lynn Bonner reports.

But potential successors had been announcing their interest in the seat, including Orange County commissioners Moses Carey and Mike Nelson, and Carrboro Alderman John Herrera.

Herrera said he will honor his promise and drop out of the race since Kinnaird has decided to run again.

Carey said he's still in.

"The fact that she's changed her mind doesn't mean I'm going to change mine," he said.

Kinnaird had discussed her retirement with potential candidates, but made it known she wanted a woman to run to replace her.

Kinnaird's campaign sent an announcement Tuesday saying that she wanted to work for affordable health insurance for everyone, focused economic development efforts in needy areas, and a ban on executing the mentally ill.

Update: Nelson said he's also out of the race.

Sen. Ellie Kinnaird wants a woman to succeed her.

The Carrboro Democrat has not announced whether she will run again, but she says that she has asked nine women if they would run for her seat if she retired. All turned her down.

Meantime, a diverse slate has stepped up, including a black man, a gay man and a Hispanic immigrant.

Carrboro Alderman John Herrera, a native of Costa Rica, announced he would run for the District 23 seat. He joins Orange County Commissioners Moses Carey and Mike Nelson.

If Kinnaird does run again, Herrera said he would drop out of the race.

Kinnaird said she will keep looking for a female successor, because women are interested in serving the people "and not the business interest and special interest."

"Some people will say, 'What is this, ethnic or gender politics?'" she said. "What I would say to this is, When I went in 11 years ago, there were seven women." (N&O)