Endorsements: Our choices for the Triangle’s congressional primaries | Opinion

There will be four primary elections involving Triangle congressional districts, three for Republicans and one for Democrats.

District 2 (Wake County)

Two-term Democratic incumbent Rep. Deborah Ross faces a primary challenge from Michael Camero, a 42-year-old Raleigh businessman making his first bid for elective office. “I’ve always been too busy with work, but now I’m in a position to take on more,” Camero said.

Camero is likely taking on too much in Ross, a civil rights attorney and former state legislator who was the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in 2016. But Camero is undaunted. “I’ve always been up for a challenge. That’s how I operate,” he said.

Though generally in agreement with Ross’ progressive political views, Cameron cited the need to press harder for federal funding to clean polluted sites and to pay more attention to controlling sprawl and increasing mass transit.

Ross, 60, said turmoil in the Republican-controlled House has limited the ability for any representative to get bills passed. Instead, she’s used this term to strengthen her constituent services.

In her first term with a Democratic House majority, Ross said much did get done. “We’re seeing the fruits of the labor now,” she said, noting new federal funding for high-speed commuter rail and other infrastructure projects.

Ross is an effective and energetic representative who pushes for progressive priorities but is ready to work with Republicans.

We recommend Deborah Ross in the Democratic primary.

On the Republican side, three candidates are vying for the GOP nomination in a district that strongly favors Democrats.

Eugene Douglass, 66, of Raleigh is a retired chemistry professor who supports tax cuts, reducing the size of the federal government and less regulation. He also wants to disband the U.S. Department of Education.

Alan Swain, 69, a retired U.S. Army colonel, ran against Ross in 2022. Now he wants a rematch. His top issue is fighting crime, particularly human and drug trafficking. Swain, a former Wake County Republican Party chairman, said, “Crime is rising. We need more law enforcement.”

A third GOP candidate, Robert Morales Vergara, who supports tighter limits on government spending and school choice, did not respond to requests for comment.

We recommend Alan Swain in the Republican primary.

District 4 (Orange, Durham, Wake, Alamance counties)

Two Republicans are seeking the GOP nomination to challenge Democratic incumbent Valerie Foushee.

Mahesh (Max) Ganorkar, 58, a construction consultant, is back after losing in the 2022 primary in this since-redrawn district. He describes himself as “a Tea Party guy,” who wants tighter controls on immigration and cuts in federal spending to reduce the national debt.

Eric Blankenburg, 64, a technology consultant from New Hill. His top issues are “bringing outsourced manufacturing and technology jobs home, revitalizing our underprivileged communities and creating a green future that is technologically feasible and economically implementable.”

We recommend Eric Blankenburg in the District 4 Republican primary.

District 13 (Wake, Johnston, Harnett and Wayne counties)

This was a swing district until Republican state lawmakers redrew it as a Republican district, a change that prompted first-term incumbent Democrat Wiley Nickel to not seek reelection.

The open seat has drawn a field of 14 candidates seeking the GOP nomination. Among those who responded to our questions were Kenny Xu, Josh McConkey and Matt Shoemaker.

Xu, 26, a Raleigh author and activist, has written about Harvard’s admission policies and wants to end college policies that weigh for and against certain groups to promote diversity. He also wants stronger immigration controls at the U.S. border with Mexico.

McConkey, 46, is an emergency room physician and a Air Force Reserve colonel. His priorities are securing U.S borders and stopping the flow of illegal drugs into the country.

Shoemaker, 35, of Clayton, is a former U.S. Navy intelligence officer. He wants to control federal spending to limit inflation, improve border security and increase the nation’s military readiness.

We recommend Matt Shoemaker in the District 13 Republican primary

This story was originally published February 19, 2024 at 8:27 AM.