Walter Church

Blue fish, red pond, House edition

ryanteaguebeckwith — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:15:39 -0500

Which House Democrats are in Republican-leaning districts?

According to the N.C. Partisan Index, 10 Democratic representatives are in districts that lean Republican.

The index was created by the conservative Civitas Institute, using results from the 2004 elections. Ratings were based on how the district voted in Council of State races when compared to state as a whole.

Five of the blue fish in red ponds are on House Republican's wish list.

Below, the representatives and their district ratings, from most Republican to least.

Rep. Ray Warren (R+11), Rep. Alice Graham Underhill (R+6), Rep. Bob England (R+6), Rep. Walter Church Sr. (R+4), Rep. Jim Harrell III (R+4), Rep. Cullie Tarleton (R+3), Rep. Ty Harrell (R+2), Rep. Arthur Williams (R+1), Rep. R. Van Braxton (R+1) House Majority Leader Hugh Holliman (R+1).

In addition, one Republican is in a Democratic-leaning district. Rep. Bill Daughtridge, who is running for state treasurer, is from a D+3 district.

His seat is on the Democrat's wish list.

Earlier: Blue fish, red pond, Senate edition

The GOP's House Top Five

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:27:52 -0500

Republicans have five seats in their sights so far.

Based on filings with the State Board of Elections, Michael Luthy of the N.C. Republican House Majority Fund singled out five districts where he thinks the GOP has a good chance:

3rd: Norman Sanderson of Arapahoe and Craven County Commissioner Renee Sisk face off in the Republican primary to run against Democratic Rep. Alice Graham Underhill.

41st: Apex Councilman Bryan Gossage, owner of Peak Media Group, squares off against first-term Democratic Rep. Ty Harrell.

86th: Valdese attorney Hugh Blackwell faces Democratic Rep. Walt Church Sr. in a rematch of the 2006 race.

88th: Former state Rep. Mark Hollo of Taylorsville faces Democratic Rep. Ray Warren in a rematch of the 2006 race.

90th: Mount Airy attorney Sarah Stevens squares off against Rep. Jim Harrell III.

Luthy said that he was excited about several other races, but did not want to talk about them until the candidates have filed.

A PAC of cigarettes?

ryanteaguebeckwith — Fri, 04 May 2007 16:29:13 -0400

Political action committees associated with four major tobacco companies gave about $28,000 since 2000 to 11 of the 17 Democrats who voted against the smoking ban.

As Dome noted earlier, they were the crossovers who went against party line, helping defeat the bill.

Lorillard, R.J. Reynolds, Standard Commercial Tobacco, Philip Morris and its parent company Altria gave mostly small donations of $250, $500 or $1,000 through their PACs, typical of their contributions to other legislators.

The biggest recipient was Rep. Nelson Cole of Reidsville, who got $8,750 between 2000 and 2006. Rep. James Crawford of Oxford received $5,500 during that same time period.

Both represent tobacco-growing areas in North Carolina.

Reps. R. Van Braxton, Walter Church, Mary McAllister, Timothy Spear and Edith Warren were not listed on campaign finance reports filed by the tobacco companies' PACs.

Among the Republicans who voted for the bill, Rep. Julia Howard received $4,200 and Rep. Jeff Barnhart received $2,250.