The third-place finisher in the May 4 North Carolina Democratic Senate primary endorsed Secretary of State Elaine Marshall this morning, increasing the chances that Marshall will defeat the Democratic establishment choice, Iraq veteran Cal Cunningham, in the June 22 runoff.
Marshall won the popular vote on May 4, leading the field with 36% of the total votes cast. Cunningham, who is the DSCC choice, came in second with 27%. Third place finisher Ken Lewis — an attorney who was endorsed by most of the state’s African American establishment — took home 17% of the vote. Since none of the candidates crossed the 40% threshold required by state law, a runoff between Marshall and Cunningham was called.
Who Lewis would endorse in that race was one of the big questions for observers. Lewis brings with him a key component of the Democratic base, and who his voters choose June 22 could be the difference between victory and defeat. Today, Lewis made his choice, standing with Marshall at a press conference in Raleigh, NC.
He immediately called on his supporters to do the same. In a fundraising email sent out shortly after the endorsement was announced, Lewis praised Marshall and urged the people who voted for him to shift their full attention to Marshall’s campaign.
“We have in Elaine Marshall the opportunity to continue to fight for what we believe in,” he wrote, “and that’s why I’m proud to join her today.”
National Democrats, who say Cunningham has the better chance of winning in November, say that Lewis’ coalition isn’t what it used to be. One source said they expect Lewis’ endorsement won’t automatically bring the state’s black leaders to Marshall’s side. One key Lewis supporter, Rep. Mel Watt (D), has already said he won’t endorse anyone in the runoff.
The Democrat who wins the June 22 runoff race will face Sen. Richard Burr (R) in the fall. The TPM Poll Average for a Burr-Marshall race shows the Republican ahead by a margin of 47.1-37.7. Against Cunningham, the TPM Poll Average shows Burr ahead by a margin of 47.7-35.3.
