Lack of incumbents could signal political shift

With a series of Democratic State Senators deciding not to run for reelection, North Carolina Republicans could gain control of that chamber for the first time in almost 150 years.

With Senators Julia Boseman, Tony Rand, Charlie Albertson and R.C. Soles stepping down from the senate, Southeastern North Carolinians will lose some experienced representatives. Local Republicans are confident they can provide the new voice in Raleigh.

Democrats have controlled the state legislature since 1871. After a stunning vote to fill Ted Kennedy’s seat in Massachusetts with a Republican and a struggling economy, area Republicans are confident they can regain control in Raleigh. Republicans here are focused on filling the 8th District seat Soles will leave.

“There is going to be a change,” former Rep. Bonner Stiller, a Brunswick County Republican, said. “There’s going to be a lot of opportunities. This is a seat that without question should go, could go to a Republican. That is one of our number one concerns.”

Creating more jobs, fiscal responsibility and health care will be important issues in the upcoming election. Voters we spoke with say they’ve become numb to unfulfilled campaign promises and are looking for action. Voters say they do not want to hear any more negative campaign ads, but with a possible political shift in the upcoming election, it’s possible many state races could get very personal.