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Renee Ellmers says fear is preventing an economic recovery.

Ellmers, 45, is seeking the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge, a Lillington Democrat.

"I'm running for Congress because I'm a mom and I'm very afraid of where our country is going and where the current administration in Washington is taking us," said Ellmers, a registered nurse and first-time political candidate who became politically active during the summer debates over health care reform.

Ellmers said Democratic proposals such as health care reform and a cap-and-trade system to limit carbon emissions have prevented businesses from growing and hiring. 

"Businesses aren't hiring because they're too afraid of what's pending. They're too afraid of government-run health care and cap and trade and the effects they might have on their business," Ellmers said. 

Ellmers said she believes she can present a strong challenge to Etheridge.

"Although he considers himself a fiscally conservative Democrat, it would be hard to see that based on his most recent voting record," she said.

"I am a woman and that is not something he has come up against before."

Who's polling for the gubernatorial candidates?

Justin Guillory at Public Policy Polling has a good rundown of the pollsters hired by four of the five candidates.

On the Democratic side, state Treasurer Richard Moore has hired Peter Brodnitz of Benenson Strategy Group, pollster to Gov. Tim Kaine and U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, both of Virginia.

Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, meanwhile, has gone with Fred Yang of Garin-Hart-Yang, pollster for Gov. Mike Easley, Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania.

(Small world watch: Moore manager Jay Reiff also worked for the Casey campaign.)

On the Republican side, Salisbury attorney Bill Graham has chosen John McLaughlin of McLaughlin & Associates, who has worked for U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and former U.S. Sen. George Allen.

State Sen. Fred Smith picked Whit Ayres of Ayres, McHenry and Associates, which has worked for U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee.

Former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr is not conducting polls.