Coble to retire from Congress in 2014

Credit: Quentin L. Richardson

US Rep. Howard Coble, announced today that he is retiring from Congress because of health reasons.

The 82-year-old Republican lawmaker has represented the 6th Congressional District, which covers the northern Piedmont including a large portion of Greensboro, since 1985.

Coble's announcement is likely to set up a breakneck race among Triad Republicans to replace him in next year's congressional primary. The veteran congressman said he's not endorsing any candidate as a replacement.

Former Guilford County Commissioner Billy Yow, Guilford County Sheriff BJ Barnes, Greensboro City Councilman Zack Matheny and former Forsyth County Republican Party Chairman Nathan Tabor are among the names getting tossed around as potential candidates.

And Greensboro Mayor Robbie Perkins, the last of dying breed of liberal, urban, business-minded Republicans, might be looking for a job after his defeat at the polls earlier this week. But a Perkins candidacy would undoubtedly run into the buzz-saw of tea party antagonism.