Mary Curtis: Primary Election Wrap

CHARLOTTE, NC — Primary Races in North Carolina Help Shape 2018 Midterm Elections

Four states had primary, and other important contests Tuesday. Several contests in North Carolina and Charlotte had national implications because of the candidates and issues involved.

Talking points:

–The big upset. In the 9^th US Congressional district, Rep. Robert Pittenger became the first incumbent in the country to lose his seat. He conceded to Mark Harris, a former Charlotte pastor, who came close in his previous race against Pittenger.

The district is key to whether the GOP will keep its House majority in the fall. The Democratic challenger, Dan McCready, is a veteran that many compare to Pennsylvania’s Conor Lamb.

Look for lots of national attention and MONEY.

–Races where the primary pretty much decides the winner: In Mecklenburg County, the winner of the sheriff and DA primaries are Democrats who are pretty much guaranteed the job.

The sheriff’s race became a referendum on immigration because the candidates were split on the jail’s controversial 287(g) program, which checks all those arrested – whether for violent crime or minor offenses – for immigration status and makes them liable for reporting to ICE and deportation.

Incumbent Mecklenburg County Sheriff Irwin Carmichael, who supported it, lost to former Charlotte-Mecklenburg police detective Garry McFadden, who wants to end it. Opponents say the policy hurts relationships between law enforcement and the community and keeps some crimes from being reported.

Also at issue was the policy of in-person vs. video visits.

–DA race: Spencer Merriweather cruised, besting public defender Toussaint Romain.

–National implications: In West Virginia, Republicans dodged what could have been an embarrassing result, when coal executive Don Blankenship, who had served time after a mine disaster killed many and whose campaign featured controversial ads, lost the US Senate primary. Winner Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is thought to have a better chance of beating incumbent Democrat Joe Manchin in a state Donald Trump won decisively.

–In NC state races, incumbents Joel Ford and Rodney Moore lost their primaries for seats in the state legislature.

–Looking ahead nationally and locally, it is difficult to gauge how much the Trump effect – those who love him or hate him and are motivated to come out – will guide turnout and results.

With this political scene and president, few know what will happen next.

(Mary C. Curtis)