A day after saying his plans were “undetermined,” former U.S. Rep. Republican Robin Hayes said today he won’t run for congressional seat he lost last November.

“I’m going to do everything I can to help recruit and finance and give what experience and assistance I can to make sure that that person – and it’s not going to be me – is properly prepared,” Hayes told News 14.

Hayes’ announcement came a day after a top GOP official suggested Hayes would not challenge Democrat Larry Kissell, who beat him in 2008.

U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican and top recruiter for the National Republican Congressional Committee, is in North Carolina checking out potential GOP candidates for several House seats held by Democrats, including the 8th District.

"I don’t believe Robin’s going to run again," McCarthy said Tuesday. "Robin’s been very helpful in helping us find somebody."

Hayes held the seat for five terms. In 2008, the wealthy textile heir spent $3.8 million on the race to Kissell’s $1.5 million.

"I believe the climate is going to be much different than the last two election cycles," McCarthy said. "You look at town hall meetings and others, there’s a frustration out there. People are looking for new faces, fresh ideas."

Outgoing Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, sometimes mentioned as a possible candidate for the seat, declined to fuel the speculation.

“Right now my total focus is on completing my term,” he said today.

U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican and top recruiter for the National Republican Congressional Committee, is in North Carolina this week checking out potential GOP candidates for several House seats held by Democrats, Jim Morrill of the Charlotte Observer reports.

That includes the 8th District, which Democrat Larry Kissell won from then-incumbent Republican Robin Hayes last November.

"I don't believe Robin's going to run again," McCarthy said this morning. "I would not rule that out (but) Robin's been very helpful in helping us find somebody."

Reached by email, Hayes sent back a quick response about his plans from his BlackBerry: "As yet, undetermined."

Hayes, who held the seat for five terms, could be Kissell's worst nightmare. In 2008 the wealthy textile heir spent $3.8 million on the race to Kissell's $1.5 million. And in an off-year, Kissell won't have a Barack Obama tailwind like he did last year.

"I believe the climate is going to be much different than the last two election cycles," McCarthy said. "You look at town hall meetings and others, there's a frustration out there. People are looking for new faces, fresh ideas."

Republicans are targeting freshman Democratic U.S. Rep Larry Kissell in 2010.

Party strategists believe that, with a strong candidate, reclaiming the suburban Charlotte-based district could be possible, Roll Call reports.

Kissell defeated Rep. Robin Hayes last year.

Hayes’ deep roots, Congressional tenure and fundraising ability make him a desirable candidate to try to take back the seat. But after five terms, another rigorous campaign might not be on Hayes’ agenda.

Hayes said he is still considering a 2010 run but that he is also working closely with the party to recruit other strong candidates.

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory has been mentioned as another top prospect, and he has not ruled out a Congressional run.

Other potential Republican challengers mentioned include Union County District Attorney John Snyder and former state Rep. Mia White.

Hat tip: RTB 

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.

How much did North Carolina's delegation get in earmarks last year?

Here is a breakdown of the approved earmarks in last year's spending bills, as compiled by Citizens Against Government Waste:

Sen. Elizabeth Dole: 110, $133.6 million

Sen. Richard Burr: 89, $117.1 million

Rep. David Price: 51, $56.8 million

Rep. Robin Hayes: 44, $48.6 million

Rep. Bob Etheridge: 29, $38.3 million

Rep. Mike McIntyre: 31, $37.9 million

Rep. Heath Shuler: 30, $28.8 million

Rep. Mel Watt: 28, $28.5 million

Rep. Sue Myrick: 13, $20.9 million

Rep. Walter Jones: 12, $20.3 million

Rep. Howard Coble: 15, $17.2 million 

Rep. Patrick McHenry: 10, $16.8 million

Rep. G.K. Butterfield: 17, $14.4 million

Rep. Brad Miller: 14, $12.7 million

Rep. Virginia Foxx: 10, $12.4 million

In all, the delegation received 219 earmarks worth a total of $216.4 million.

Correction: An earlier version of this post misstated Jones' earmark total.

U.S. Sen. Richard Burr's leadership PAC gave $308,500 to federal candidates last year.

The Next Century Fund, a political action committee affiliated with the Winston-Salem Republican, contributed $212,500 to 25 Senate candidates and $96,000 to 39 House candidates, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. All were Republican.

Several were from North Carolina. Burr gave $5,000 apiece to former Sen. Elizabeth Dole, former Rep. Robin Hayes, Rep. Patrick McHenry and Rep. Sue Myrick.

He also gave $1,000 to Augustus Cho, who ran unsuccessfully for the GOP nomination to face Democratic Rep. David Price.

Nationally, Burr's PAC lent a hand to GOP candidates in competitive races, including Sens. John McCain, Norm Coleman and Ted Stevens.

In all, the PAC spent $627,704, including donations to the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the N.C. Republican Party, fundraising and travel expenses and rent.

It ended the year with $126,202 in cash on hand.

John Snyder, the state's youngest district attorney, is considering challenging Democratic Rep. Larry Kissell next year.

Snyder said he has been talking to Republicans around the district about running for the 8th congressional district seat, Rob Christensen reports. He said he plans to make up his mind over the next 30 to 45 days.

"I've lived or worked in the district pretty much all of my life," Snyder said. "I know the people who live here and their struggles."

Kissell was elected in November, unseating Republican Robin Hayes.

Hayes, a former GOP nominee and an heir to the Cannon towel fortune, has not decided whether he will seek his old seat. Snyder said he would not run if Hayes does.

Snyder said Kissell's vote for the stimulus bill could be a campaign issue.

Snyder is a former aide to Sen. Jesse Helms. He was elected district attorney for the Union County district in 2006.

The state's Congressional Republicans have also grown in power.

Although missing one member due to the defeat of Rep. Robin Hayes, the remaining five representatives will be on key committees that could stymie or alter Democratic plans.

The dean of the delegation, Rep. Howard Coble, will be the ranking member of a new subcommittee on courst and competition for the Judiciary committee, overseeing federal courts, antitrust issues and mergers.

Rep. Virginia Foxx joins the powerful Rules Committee, which determines what legislation comes to the House floor for a vote, how bills are amended and other issues. Because of the demands of that committee, she'll step down from commitees on education, agriculture and government reform.

Other Republicans are staying put.

Rep. Sue Myrick remains on the House Energy and Commerce committee, working on subcommittees on health; energy and the environment; and consumer protection.

Rep. Walter Jones will continue to serve on the Armed Services committee, on subcommittees on military personnel and investigations, as well as the Financial Services committee, where he'll serve alongside Democratic Reps. Brad Miller and Mel Watt.

And Rep. Patrick McHenry remains on three committees on Financial Services, Oversight and Government Reform and Budget.

Previously: House Democrats get their assignments

Correction: An earlier version of this post misstated Jones' role on a subcommittee.

After the jump, a complete list.

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Is former U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes interested in state GOP chair?

A reliable tipster says the Concord Republican may be considering a run to replace outgoing party chairwoman Linda Daves.

As with the race for Democratic Party chair, much remains in flux.

Former GOP gubernatorial candidate Fred Smith, former Lee County commissioner Chad Adams, and former state Sen. Woody White are also reportedly considering runs.

Guilford County stockbroker Marcus Kindley is already running.

State Republican Chair Linda Daves of Charlotte says she will not seek another term next year.

"I think it is good and health for an organization to have fresh, new leadership periodically," Daves said in a statement. "At the conclusion of my term in June, I will step aside and allow someone else the honor and responsibility of guiding the party into the future."

Among those who have expressed interest in running for party chair is state Sen. Fred Smith of Clayton, who last year unsucessfully sought the gubernatorial nomination.

Daves was chair during a difficult election cycle for Republicans. They lost the Senate seat held by Sen. Elizabeth Dole, a congressional seat held by Robin Hayes, and the auditor’s office held by Les Merritt. Barack Obama also became the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry the state since 1976.

The convention will be held June 12 to 14 in Raleigh.