N.C.: Gantt to Endorse Lewis

[ccharles000]

An endorsement from former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt could throw national Democratic operatives a curve ball.

Gantt, who twice ran unsuccessfully against former U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, plans to endorse Chapel Hill lawyer Kenneth Lewis, the Raleigh News & Observer reports. Reps. G.K. Butterfield and Mel Watt, the state's two black Congressmen, also back Lewis.

The endorsements signal a newfound confidence among some in the black community after President Obama's primary and general election wins in the state. But it also makes a split more likely in what has so far been a lackluster primary.

Secretary of State Elaine Marshall currently leads in name recognition, but national Democrats have pinned their hopes on former state Sen. Cal Cunningham, an Iraq veteran, being the nominee. Three other minor Democratic candidates further complicate the primary.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2010/03/nc-gantt-to-endorse-lewis.html