Watching the Alaskan GOP Senate primary race with interest is North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr.
If Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski loses her primary, then Burr is in line to become the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, assuming he wins re-election.
The committee has jurisdiction over energy policy, nuclear waste policy, oil and gas regulation, coal production, national parks, water and power and public lands and forests.
In Tuesday's primary, Murkowski was trailing Joe Miller by about 1,900 votes while absentee ballots were being counted.
Burr is the second-ranking Republican on the committee and would move up if Murkowki loses and if he defeats Democrat Elaine Marshall.
If the Republicans win control of the Senate, Burr would be in position to become the committee chairman.
Burr calls for big shift
Burr helped open the Nash County GOP headquarters Thursday night, where he delivered a pep talk but made no mention of Marshall, his Democratic opponent.
Burr called on Republicans to redouble their efforts this fall, saying a major shift was needed in government.
"You can't have a marginal election and believe you can change the direction of the country," Burr told about 75 people in Rocky Mount.
"There are generations who are scared to death for different reasons right now," Burr added. "What Republicans have to do is reach out to all of them. This is not about Republicans or Democrats or independents. I can tell you that Democrats are just as scared as Republicans."
Also speaking were Renee Ellmers, the District 2 GOP candidate, and Ashley Wool ard, the first district congressional GOP candidate.
Ellmers, a nurse from Dunn, said Democratic Rep. Bob Etheridge is really two people.
"He's North Carolina Bob, a good old country boy worried about the same things you and I are worried about. Then he goes back to Washington and becomes DC Bob. He becomes a liberal and votes with Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama 97 percent of the time."
Governors gather
Gov. Bev. Perdue is attending the Southern Governors' Association meeting near Birmingham this weekend, where the governors are expected to discuss strengthening trade with China.
Top Chinese officials are expected to meet with the Southern governors at the Ross Bridge Resort.
Also on tap are discussions about the recovery from the Gulf Coast oil spill. Among those scheduled to participate in a panel discussion at the conference is Norris Tolson, president and CEO of the N.C. Biotechnology Center.
Sunday night will feature a "North Carolina Late Night Party," which will be paid for by the Southern Governors' Association, according to a spokeswoman for the group.
The event helps advertise the group's meeting next year, which will be held at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville.
Democrat fundraiser
The Democratic Party held a fundraiser recently in Raleigh for its coordinated fall campaign effort.
Perdue and Marshall attended the event, held at the home of Raleigh attorney Bruce Thompson and his wife, Heather. The cost was $250 to $1,000 for hosts.
Among the hosts were former state party chairwoman Barbara Allen; former acting Solicitor General Walter Dellinger; former Gov. Jim Hunt; former Ambassador Jeanette Hyde and her husband, Wallace Hyde; former Senate candidate Ken Lewis; former party chairwoman Betty McCain; former state Chief Justice Burley Mitchell and Democratic National Committeeman Ed Turlington.
The proceeds will be used to help finance the Democrats' turnout effort this fall.
By staff writers Rob Christensen and Jane Stancill
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