NC Rep. Etheridge won't challenge Burr for Senate

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Rep. Bob Etheridge said Friday he has decided against a run for Senate next year, saying he'd prefer to remain working in the lower chamber.

Etheridge, who was first elected in 1996, pointed to his seniority in the U.S. House and noted that herecently began working on the powerful Committee on Ways and Means.

"I really believe that I can best help the people in North Carolina, during what I consider one of the worst economic downturns we've faced since the Great Depression, by remaining in the House," Etheridge told The Associated Press.

The representative from North Carolina's 2nd congressional district, which covers areas south and east of Raleigh, is the second prominent Democrat to consider but decline a run against Sen. Richard Burr. Attorney General Roy Cooper also passed on the campaign earlier this year.

Etheridge said he believes Burr remains vulnerable.

"I really think the atmosphere is lining up in North Carolina," he said. "The dynamics have changed in our state."

North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and Durham attorney Kenneth Lewis, both Democrats, have announced their plans to challenge Burr. The Republican senator already has $3.4 million to spend on his re-election bid.

Democrats have been eager to target Burr since the 2008 election, when party candidate Kay Hagan was able to unseat Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole. An Elon University poll released last month found that Burr had an approval rating of 37 percent among North Carolina adults, while 22 percent of respondents disapproved of the way the Republican lawmaker is handling his job.

Next year will be Burr's first re-election bid in the Senate. He served in the House for a decade before moving to the upper chamber in 2004.

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Nov 13, 2009 - 5:54 p.m. EDT

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