N.C Politics..Senate Hopefull Has GOP Support

[surfermaw]

Senate hopeful has GOP support
Party rallies around U.S. Rep. Richard Burr for 2004 campaign
MARK JOHNSON
Raleigh Bureau

It was Richard Burr's turn, until the White House stepped in.

U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, a Republican, was retiring. Burr, a handsome and energetic GOP congressman, had been eyeing a Senate seat, even passing on the governor's race two years earlier. Very quickly after Helms' announcement, though, political operatives at the Bush White House indicated their preferred candidate for the 2002 election was Elizabeth Dole, who went on to win in November.

"It was clear, and it didn't need to be said, but the White House accurately believed Elizabeth Dole is a rock star and her chances for winning were very, very good," said Burr strategist Peter Hans, "and that Richard Burr had the luxury, as a young man, of running in two years or even later."

Two years later, with U.S. Sen. John Edwards relinquishing his Senate seat and Democrats sorting out their candidates, the Republican forces that led Burr to opt out of the last Senate race now have unified the party behind him.

Burr, of Winston-Salem, said White House officials never asked him to stay out in 2002, but it just didn't make sense to run

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http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/politics/6733552.htm

[bowens43]

1. Let's see.... the GOP supports a republican in the NC senate race...

Shocking!! Luckily , outside his district, Burr is completely unknown, while Erskine Bowles the likely Dem candidate, is well known and respected.