Will Republicans Turn Out For Primary?

Their presidential candidate is decided. Their gubernatorial candidates have hardly mounted any effort in Lee County, and compared to the other side very few TV commercials have been run. Unlike local democrats, there are no local primaries for Republicans. The school board race is supposedly non-partisan although it is clear that some candidates have the support of the more conservative faction of the party. That leaves the 1/4 cent sales tax increase as the biggest draw.

Republicans generally oppose taxes and this could drive them to the polls. Of course, many people in both parties feel that a 1/4 cent sales tax is indeed a fairer tax than the property tax since "everyone pays" including illegal aliens and shoppers from out of town. But the state media isn't giving Republicans a lot to be excited about.

With record Democrat turnouts being generated in the Presidential race, Democrat turnout could swamp the all ready out-numbered Lee County Republicans.

To give Republicans some excitement, the governor's race appears to be tight one with former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory having a slight edge on Smithfield State Senator Fred Smith. Bill Graham and Bob Orr are running back in the pack. Yet the race has generated little media coverage. With four candidates in the race, a lot of interest in being generated by the possibility of McCrory failing to get the minimum 40% necessitating what would be a hard fought run-off primary between the two front runners.