Obama may pick some from N.C.

As the president-elect scans resumes, he might see some of these names

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CORRECTION

A story in the A section Friday incorrectly reported that Suzanne Reynolds lost her seat on the N.C. Supreme Court. Reynolds, a challenger, lost to incumbent Associate Justice Bob Edmunds in the Supreme Court race.

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Speculation flew Thursday that N.C. State grad Robert Gibbs will become Barack Obama's White House press secretary. As the president-elect continues to collect resumes, some other current or former North Carolinians may also be on his list.

During the last Democratic administration, President Clinton looked to North Carolina for the man who would become his chief of staff, former Charlotte businessman Erskine Bowles, now president of the University of North Carolina system.

Some North Carolina Democrats were with Obama from the beginning. Others lent their support after first backing Hillary Rodham Clinton or John Edwards.

"The reality is, because Edwards had locked up so much of the political establishment here early on, North Carolinians were sort of late in the game," said Democratic consultant Morgan Jackson of Raleigh.

But better late than never. Here's a look at some who might be considered by Obama.

JIM HUNT

The former four-term North Carolina governor was neutral during his party's heated primary but campaigned hard for Obama this fall.

Where he could land: North Carolina's "education governor" could be a candidate for secretary of education.

REP. BOB ETHERIDGE

The Harnett County lawmaker, once the only tobacco farmer in Congress, was on his tractor Thursday checking his stock. A strong Obama supporter, Etheridge gave him credibility with many white voters in rural Eastern North Carolina.

Where he could land: Agriculture.

HUGH McCOLL

The South Carolina native built Bank of America into a national powerhouse. He publicly declared his support for Obama last month in an op-ed piece for the Charlotte Observer. "Through the years, ... I saw what qualities make effective leaders," he wrote. "I see them in Obama: a sharp intellect, stiff spine and steady hand."

Where he could land: Treasury, or economic adviser.

REP. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

A one-time civil rights lawyer, he's a congressman from Eastern North Carolina. Though an early supporter of John Edwards, he was the first member of the delegation to come out for Obama. He's a former N.C. Supreme Court justice.

"I don't want to leave Congress for any reason," Butterfield said. "I'll be satisfied just having a friend in the White House."

Where he could land: The federal bench.

GOV. MIKE EASLEY

The governor turned down a shot at the U.S. Senate and has said he doesn't want to work in Washington. But his name has been mentioned repeatedly over the years as someone who could join a Democrat's Cabinet.

Where he could land: Attorney general or elsewhere in Justice.

KAROL MASON

A partner in the Alston + Bird Atlanta and Raleigh law offices, she's a North Carolina native and UNC-Chapel Hill grad who sits on the school's board of trustees. She's also a close friend of Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett. She was on Obama's national finance committee and has expertise in higher education.

Where she could land: Education Department or policy adviser.

CASSANDRA BUTTS

She's a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and Harvard Law School, where she was classmates with Obama. A close friend, she has been serving as one of Obama's domestic policy advisers.

Where she could land: White House adviser.

REGGIE LOVE

A graduate of Charlotte's Providence Day who went on to play basketball and football at Duke University, he's Obama's campaign "body man," or personal aide. Before, he worked in Obama's Senate office after brief stints with the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys -- and after turning down a job with Goldman Sachs. He's Obama's occasional hoops partner.