The gerrymandered districts held by Congressmen Brad Miller (D-NC13) and Larry Kissell (D-NC8) are two most likely to be re-designed in North Carolina.  This is according to the Cook Political Report (rather than the National Journal, as reported by the Raleigh  News and Observer on Thursday.)

The News and Observer wrote, in part:

“After eluding serious competition since he drew this district for himself as a state senator in 2002,” the National Journal writes, “North Carolina’s Miller is getting ready for a taste of his own medicine. Or will he take a pass? Miller reported raising just $32,000 in the first quarter of 2011.

Smart money has Republicans tossing Miller’s Democratic base in Raleigh in with Democratic Rep. David Price‘s base in Durham and Chapel Hill, leaving Miller with little choice but to retire or run in a heavily  Republican seat outside the Research Triangle.”

As for Kissell, the National Journal writes that he has relied on black voters at the district’s two urban extremities – Charlotte and Fayetteville.

Does Miller’s lack of fundraising, signal that he has thrown in the towel?  Does Miller believe that he is a goner?

Perhaps a Republican can win, not just outside the Triangle, but even outside the Raleigh Beltline, the 30-something year-old highway (now Interstate known as I-440) that encircles Raleigh.  Raleigh has grown far outside the beltline, so far in fact, that another beltline in in process, I-540.  The Northern part of this Interstate has been completed with the southern portion under construction.

A conservative with the right message could easily woo these “OTBers” (outside the beltline) voters and land in her the winner’s circle.

Comments are closed.