U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell has $244,952 in his campaign account, according to federal campaign finance records.

Kissell, a Biscoe Democrat, raised $99,000 from individuals and $305,000 from political action committees.

Contributors included Anne B. Wilkins of Cary, a consultant ($2,000); Ronald J. Bernstein of Durham, chief executive of cigarette company Liggett Vector Brands ($2,000); the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association PAC ($5,000) and the American Health Care Association PAC ($5,000).

Four Republicans are competing for the party's nomination to challenge Kissell and the race has generated lots of money already.

Businessman Lou Huddleston has raised $57,641 from individuals and loaned himself $45,125. He has $102,000 in his account.

Tim D'Annunzio, who owns a skydiving business, has loaned himself $303,000 and raised $8,400. Hamlet resident Darrell Day has raised $30 and loaned himself $3,000.

Republican Thomas Sweeney has not reported raising any money.

Republicans continue to line up to challenge 8th District Democratic Congressman Larry Kissell.

The latest to join the field is Hal Jordan, a Charlotte IBM executive, who received a lot of attention three years ago when he came within 30 votes of knocking off scandal-plagued Democratic House Speaker Jim Black.

Jordan joins three other Republicans who have already announced their intentions to challenge Kissell: Lou Huddleston, a retired Army colonel from Fayetteville; Tim D'Annunzio, the owner of Sky Venture Skydiving Center in Hoke County, who has loaned his campaign $300,000, and Darrell Day of Hamlet. 

There are several reasons why there is so much interest in the race, Rob Christensen reports. The 8th District is considered one of the few competitive House districts in the state.  Congressmen are considered the most vulnerable the first time they seek re-election. Kissell knocked off Republican Robin Hayes in 2008. 

And the polls suggest that 2010 could be a Republican-leaning year.

Biden has become a leading figure in helping House Democrats prepare for next year's elections. Kissell, a Biscoe Democrat, narrowly won his seat 2008. The GOP has targeted the seat in next year's mid-term elections. Fayetteville businessman Lou Huddleston, a Republican, is running for the seat.

Dome's Barb Barrett filed a report about the event, which was held at the Cleveland Park home of William and Susie Taylor. Among those in the audience was U.S. Rep. Mel Watt, a Charlotte Democrat.

Kissell introduced Biden.

"There’s something magical about someone from a textiles background, and who was teaching high school civics a year ago, to be standing up here with the vice president. That’s a miracle. That’s what makes this country great," Kissell said.

Correction: A previous version of this post misstated Kissell's election results. Dome regrets the errors.

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Lou Huddleston, a Fayetteville businessman and Republican who is challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell next year has developed a following among the right people — the ones with money.

Roll Call reports (subscription req.) that Huddleston is expected to post a six-figure fundraising report soon. The report highlights Republican efforts to recruit miniority candidates.

At the moment, the black Republican with perhaps the best shot in 2010 is veteran and former North Carolina state House nominee Lou Huddleston (R), who is running in the 8th district against freshman Rep. Larry Kissell (D)…party operatives on Capitol Hill have warmed to the retired Army colonel and defense industry consultant…After announcing in August, Huddleston is expected to file a six-figure fundraising report later this month. 

Kissell, a Biscoe Democrat, has recently been the beneficiary of a fundraising push by Vice President Joe Biden. 

Politico reports that Biden has become a key fundraising presence in House campaigns.

Two weeks ago, the vice president traveled across the Potomac to keynote a three-way fundraiser to boost Virginia Democratic freshmen Reps. Gerry Connolly, Glenn Nye and Thomas Perriello. First-term Rep. Larry Kissell (D-N.C.), a weak fundraiser, just got the Biden treatment, and the vice president is scheduled to appear at a $1,000-per-person luncheon for freshman Rep. Jim Hines (D-Conn.) in New York City on Monday.

Republicans see Kissell, a Biscoe Democrat as vulnerable next year, possibly in part because news reporters are on safe ground describing the Congressman as a "weak fundraiser." Just today, Republicans launched an attack on Kissell over comments he made about the war in Afghanistan.

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Fayetteville businessman Lou Huddleston says he will challenge U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell next year for the 8th District Congressional seat.

Huddleston, a Republican and retired Army colonel, launched his campaign today to unseat Kissell, a Biscoe Democrat who was elected last year. Kissell defeated Republican former Rep. Robin Hayes.

In a news release, Huddleston said he wants to focus on the concerns of working families in North Carolina.

"Times are tough for everyone," he said in the release. "It is time to stop the silly partisanship, the political blame games, and the outrageous spending and get down to the basics of doing what’s right for the American people."

Huddleston was born at Fort Bragg, the son of an Army paratrooper. He served in the Army for 31 years, retiring as a colonel in 2003 after a tour in Afghanistan.