Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Dole Continues to Dodge Stiff Challenges

Roll Call reports that Congressman Brad Miller has decided to stay in the House, rather than seek the Senate seat of Elizabeth Dole:

Rep. Brad Miller (D) said Monday that he will not challenge Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R) in 2008, as Democrats go back to the drawing board to see if they can recruit a top-tier challenger in the Tar Heel State.

“Obviously, a big part of me wanted to run for the Senate ... but I like what I’m doing in the House right now,” Miller told The Associated Press.

Miller had been mentioned as a potential candidate and had confirmed earlier this year that he was contemplating a Senate bid. He met with Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Charles Schumer (N.Y.) earlier this month.

Democrats believe Dole is potentially vulnerable, however, they have not been able to find a top-flight candidate for the race. Several well-known statewide elected officials are passing on the race.

Miller was elected in 2002 to a Raleigh-based seat that he helped to draw as a member of the state Senate during the post-2000 reapportionment and redistricting.

While 2008 shapes up as a very challenging year for Senate Republicans because of the great number of seats they must defend, Democrats have a mixed record so far on recruiting strong challengers. In Oregon, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Texas, Democrats have either lost out on top-tier challengers, or failed (so far) to get their desired candidate into the race.

No comments: