NC-SEN 2020: Tar Heel Tillis

[Tekken_Guy]

State Senator Erica Smith announced she is running. She represents several rural counties in Butterfield's district.

https://www.voteericafornc.com/

I'm assuming a state senator isn't considered a top-tier challenger.

True, but Kay Hagan was also a state senator when she ran.

Honestly, few congresspeople in poor black territory are ever considered serious challengers. Also, Hagan was an established veteran while Smith is new and unknown.

[Tekken_Guy]

Tillis is still favored, and the key to winning is strong turnout/margins in Charlotte, the Triangle, and the Triad, also do well in Wilmington and Asheville, and sweep the “Butterfields”.

[Tekken_Guy]

I don’t know Tillis that well-has he pulled a Ron Johnson and become a complete Trump hack? Or has he kept a decent reputation?

He was one of the earliest adopters, not much later than Jeff Sessions.

I thought Sessions was always pretty Trumpy.

[Tekken_Guy]

A lot of this thread has basically ignored the fact that much of Cunningham's appeal is him being a good guy, a military guy, an intelligent dudley do right type who properly reflects North Carolina.

The voters who will decide this election are not voting for him because he has a D next to his name or because they hope he will implement the DNC platform.

Much of his campaign is based on his personality and personal appeal. (Dems can take comfort in the fact that Tillis still has little of these).

The PPP poll showed that people aren't really changing their votes because of this. Besides, Biden has a good chance of winning the state and can drag Cunningham over the line. I can't imagine why any Biden voters would support Tillis because of this. It's not like he's running in Tennessee or Louisiana.

[Tekken_Guy]

Even if Cal wins, it's Cawthorn's seat in 2026 anyway

If there's a Democratic president, yeah. If there's a Republican in office, all bets are off.

[Tekken_Guy]

Even if Cal wins, it's Cawthorn's seat in 2026 anyway

If there's a Democratic president, yeah. If there's a Republican in office, all bets are off.

If people are willing to overlook Cal's scandals, why wouldn't they do the same with Cawthorn?

Lol, even in a Democratic midterm, Cawthorn isn't winning a Senate seat.  Republicans may win the seat, but not with him.

[Tekken_Guy]

What does the North Carolina Dem bench look like if Cunningham drops out? And what would the logistics be? Cunningham remains on ballot but the Dem party make clear it will be X who ends up in the seat?

He can pledge to resign on day one.