Miller opts out of Burr challenge


U.S. Rep. Brad Miller has taken himself out of the running.

The Raleigh Democrat said Monday that he's not interested in challenging U.S. Sen. Richard Burr in 2010, instead running for a fourth term in his House district.

Miller had previously been considered a top prospect to run against Sen. Elizabeth Dole, but he turned that race down, saying he wanted to focus on more important issues.

Though state Sen. Kay Hagan beat Dole by a comfortable margin, Miller said he had no regrets about turning down either race.

"I don't want to spend 18 months of my life having people in Washington tell me how to be Southern," he said.

Attorney General Roy Cooper, outgoing state Treasurer Richard Moore and Rep. Heath Shuler have also been mentioned as possible contenders. (AP)

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