FIRST ON 3: McComas asked Davis if he would run

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — State Rep. Danny McComas will not run for another term in the North Carolina House. New Hanover County Commission Chair Ted Davis, though, will. Davis, a Republican, filed for the 19th District seat this morning.

Davis has been a New Hanover County Commissioner since 1996. His current four-year term expires this year.

“Danny and I have known each other for a long time,” Davis said. “We’re close friends. He’s been my mentor an political ally. He came to me and said he was agonizing over whether to run. He asked if he did not do it would I consider.”

Davis said he was considering running for a fifth term on the County Commission, but when McComas made his decision not to run, Davis quickly decided to try and fill the seat.

“There just comes a time,” McComas told WWAY about his decision not to run.

Earlier in the day McComas, who first won election to the House in 1994, sent out a news release saying it has been an honor to serve.

“After many sleepless nights in prayer, thought and deliberation, I have concluded that the time has come for me not to file for re-election. This has not been an easy decision,” McComas said. “I have enjoyed working for the people of New Hanover County and I am proud of what our leadership team accomplished this past year in restoring sound fiscal management to our state’s budgetary process. However, as the year has progressed, it has become more obvious that the pressure of public service coupled with the demands of a challenging economy has placed an undue burden on my family, my business and I.”

There had been questions whether Davis would run again because of health issues. He had heart surgery December 26, 2010.

“It is something that honestly I have to take into consideration, because I am still recovering. It takes a while,” Davis said. “But I have progressed so much… I don’t think it’s gonna be an issue.”

Davis says he’s been working hard to keep his stress down, eat right and exercise.

“As long as I keep control over it rather than it keeping control me, I don’t foresee it being a problem,” Davis said.

Filing for political offices in North Carolina ends at noon tomorrow.