The votes are in. The poll we conducted last week on Democrats’ choice to take on Sen. Richard Burr in 2016 has closed. In the end, it was very close. The results are as follows:
1. Kay Hagan – 21.01%
2. Cal Cunningham – 20.74%
3. Brad Miller – 12.23%
4. Janet Cowell – 11.44%
5. Heath Shuler – 7.18%
6. None of these – 5.32%
7. Dan Blue – 5.05%
8. Charles Meeker – 4.26%
9. Mike McIntyre – 3.72%
10. Wayne Goodwin – 3.19%
11. (tie) Larry Hall – 2.13%
11. (tie) Allen Thomas – 2.13%
13. Allen Joines – 1.6%
A few comments. First, I would imagine that most readers of this site are better informed and more liberal than the average NC Democrat, which probably skews the results toward candidates both more liberal and more anonymous. If it means anything at all, the results probably indicate where the “netroots” of the NC Democratic Party stand.
Kay Hagan is the first choice of site readers, coming in at just barely over 21% of the vote. But her weak plurality victory is possibly an indication that Tar Heel progressives aren’t that enthusiastic about a Hagan repeat bid. If she runs, she’ll be the nominee, but a lethargic base could be problematic for her in the general against Burr.
Coming in second place, surprisingly, is Cal Cunningham, who was runner-up in the 2010 Democratic Senate primary. A first place victory overall just narrowly eluded the former legislator from Lexington. Word is that there is still a lot of resentment in Democratic circles toward Cunningham for pursuing a runoff in 2010. But not enough to deny him a second-place victory in this poll, it seems.
Former Rep. Brad Miller also did very well, coming in third at 12.23%. Miller has always been popular with the NC netroots and his performance in the poll is largely a reflection of that. In fourth is Janet Cowell, followed by former Rep. Heath Shuler.
The potential candidate with the most disappointing result in this “poll” is Mike McIntyre, who came in 9th place with only 3.72% of the vote. It’s suspected that the conservative McIntyre might have problems getting out of a primary and this result certainly supports that. Interestingly, Rob Christensen predicts that McIntyre will throw his hat into the ring and challenge Burr. Thinking out loud, or is Christensen hearing rumblings from the McIntyre camp?
That’s enough speculation on the 2016 Senate race, for now. Thanks to all the readers who participated in the poll.The consensus seems to be that the marquee race of this cycle will be the gubernatorial election, and Burr is at least for now sitting pretty. Democrats are begging now- former Sen. Hagan to mount a repeat bid, but I doubt she’ll pull the trigger. In the meantime, things are going to get very interesting stateside as the General Assembly reconvenes. Stay tuned.
What Democrats are begging Hagan to run again – the ones that were paid campaign staff? If this poll was taken by so many liberal Democrats, Hagan would not have score so high. And why put so many blue-dogs on the ballot? Why include Kay in this mix and Cal too if you don’t include Elaine Marshall? Why include Brad Miller if you don’t include David Price? The thinking is that Brad might run for Congress again if Price decides to run for Senate.
The idea that any candidate’s position on same-sex marriage, an issue that can’t be remedied by government or politicians in the first place, could be an “absolute deal breaker” is absurd. Let’s elect candidates who will promote the reestablishment and economic wellbeing of middle class America instead of getting blindsided by social issues that can only effectively be addressed outside of the halls of Congress.
Priorities I am with you right down to the ground. I welcome you to the libertarian wing of the Republican Party.
As for Future Primary Voter, being against same sex marriage does not necessarily make one disrespectful or intolerant of same sex couples. It’s just that we see no reason to redefine an institution as old as the human race itself merely to appease perhaps 2% of the population (that hates our living guts anyway). Plus it would almost certainly alienate much of the conservative base. Don’t believe me? Ask Mitt Romney.
I’m no ideologue, but McIntyre will–and should be–be d.o.a. He became the ONLY DEMOCRAT to vote for the Republicans’ pro-DOMA bill even after he had announced he was retiring. That vote proved beyond a shadow that he sincerely doesn’t respect same-sex couples. It’s retrograde, it’s despicable, and it is an absolute deal breaker. Mike McIntyre has overstayed his welcome.