Congressman Bob Etheridge said today that he would not challenge Republican Sen. Richard Burr next year, despite a concerted effort by the national Democratic Party to coax him into the race.
The decision is another setback for the Democrats, who this year failed to entice Attorney General Roy Cooper into the race.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has turned its attention to former state Sen. Cal Cunningham, an Iraqi war veteran from Lexington, who had spent several months exploring a Senate bid, before announcing Monday that he would not be a candidate.
Etheridge, a veteran congressman, former state superintendent of public instruction, former legislator and former Harnett County commissioner, is one of the state party's proven commodities. He said he looked at the Senate race strongly but "just decided not to do it."
"I think it is a winnable seat," Etheridge said. "I really do believe that. I think Richard Burr has not voted (the right way on) some of the issues on job creation and health care, and you go right on down the list."
But Etheridge noted that he was the first North Carolinian to serve on the influential House Ways and Means Committee in more than 50 years and decided he had "unfinished business in the House."
He said he would not endorse anyone in the Democratic Senate primary, which will be held next May. The announced candidates are Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and Chapel Hill attorney Ken Lewis. Also looking at the race are Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy and former Lt. Gov. Dennis Wicker.
