Stateline says Barack Obama may affect down-ballot races here.
In a story today, the legislative Web site writes that the presumptive Democratic nominee has an "outside possibility" of winning North Carolina in November, but he may have more of an effect on down-ballot races by boosting turnout.
With an open race for governor, lieutenant governor, U.S. senator, legislative and Congressional seats and eight other statewide posts, North Carolina has the most races of any Southern state on the ballot.
Even though only three out of four Democratic primary voters also voted in down-ballot races as well, the Democratic turnout was three times as high as in the Republican primary.
"Obama's impact down-ballot will be huge for Democrats, if he is able to sustain his momentum," John Davis, president of the North Carolina Forum for Research and Economic Education, told Stateline.
The site argues that the biggest effect will be in the gubernatorial race between Beverly Perdue and Pat McCrory and the Senate race between Kay Hagan and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole.
Still, it says that Obama could also hurt Democrats in Western Carolina and other predominantly white areas where he did poorly against Hillary Clinton.
Hat Tip: Chris Kromm
Blog RSS feed
