Simkins PAC punts on NC Senate 28 race

Political consultant Bill Burckley, who has just seen a copy the Simkins PAC's sample ballot, says the committee has made the following primary endorsements:

• Ken Lewis for US Senate;
• No preference for NC Senate 28;
• Alma Adams for NC House 58;
• Earl Jones for NC House 60;
• Phil Wadsworth for Sheriff in the Democratic primary;
• Linda Shaw for Guilford County Commission District 3 in the Republican primary;
• Jane Gray for NC Court of Appeals (Calabria seat);
• Rick Elmore for NC Court of Appeals (Elmore seat); and
• Nancy Routh for Guilford County School Board at large.

In NC Senate District 28, sitting representative Katie Dorsett's sudden withdrawal and anointing of Gladys Robinson has divided the black political establishment. Burckley told me that when he learned of the substitution at the end of filing in February, he immediately called Earl Jones, one of his clients, and advised him to call Bruce Davis, a High Point member of the Guilford County Commission, to tell him that neither he nor the PAC had anything to do with the scheme.

Davis ran unsuccessfully for the NC Senate District 28 seat two years ago, and has expressed anger at Dorsett's about-face. He is collecting signatures to get on the ballot in November as an independent candidate. Burckley said he was worried that Davis would blame Jones for what happened and endorse Jones' opponent, Marcus Brandon.

Two of the PAC's endorsements are no surprise: Adams and Jones are both members of the PAC, and are receiving its backing.

UPDATE: I've been wondering whether the rival Guilford County Community PAC, whose membership includes several black community leaders including pastor and local NAACP president the Rev. Cardes Brown, would make endorsements in this primary. I've received an answer: Millicent Lee, the PAC's treasurer, says they will not.

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