N.C. Election Law Thwarts Breazeale's Election Plans After Bitter Primary Loss


Will Breazeale will not be eligible to run in the General Election for U.S. Congress in the Seventh District of the State of North Carolina.

This exclusive report was confirmed at 1:15 pm by Examiner.com via an interview with Ms. Johnnie McLean, Assistant Director of the N.C. Board of Elections, Raleigh, NC.

Breazeale, who failed to win the GOP primary in the 7th District, but vowed that he would find a way to run in the Nov. 2 general election, has thus had his bid stopped cold.

Examiner.com will have more details and an update later this afternoon.

UPDATE 2:05 PM, MAY 11, 2010

Will Breazeale’s solo effort to get into the General Election in 2010 for the U.S. 7th Congressional District has fizzled.

This reporter at 1:15 pm today broke the story after an exclusive interview with Ms. Johnnie McLean, assistant director of the N.C. Board of Elections in Raleigh.

She said: “I can tell you what the law states, and it says that candidates cannot run as a write-in or as an unaffiliated candidate for the same office in which they have been defeated in the primary in the same year. In fact, when the candidates file a notice of candidacy, they are actually signing an oath that that will not run for the office described in the next General Election.”

Case closed.

Mr. Breazeale, who was criticized for actions that might weaken GOP chances to unseat 14-year Democratic incumbent Mike McIntyre, will not be able to proceed as a spoiler – at least in this election in 2010.

“What this means is any candidate defeated in the primary on May 4, is not qualified to run as a write-in or unaffiliated candidate. It’s just that simple,” the Board of Elections assistant director stated. “It’s the law, passed by the General Assembly.”

She was asked if someone inquired about the law as it affects Mr. Breazeale’s continued quest for office.

“This law has been in place for a number of years. And the ruling was not done today. We just stated what the law says. I don’t think we have announced anything about this. I think there was an e-mail about this. I can’t say for certain, and I know what that can sound like, but I understand there was also a caller, and I didn’t take that call, but my impression is he was acting on behalf of Mr. Breazeale,” she concluded.

Ilario Pantano and his campaign team can now focus on Mike McIntyre, free of distractions such as the Breazeale effort – which one observer described as “arrogant and selfish” -- to stay in the congressional contest at any cost.


UPDATE 3:20 PM

Frank Williams, Chairman of the N.C. 7th Congressional District Republican Executive Committee, indicated that he was made aware of the fact that Breazeale's divisive attempt to run has been thwarted, and said that he is pleased with the news. "I believe the vast majority of Republicans are already rallying around Ilario Pantano. Now we can focus our efforts on defeating the Pelosi machine, said Mr. Williams."



UPDATE 3:35 PM May 11, 2010

This is an excerpt of a news release sent from the Breazeale office today at 2:50 PM:

"Over the past week there has been a lot of speculation as to my political future. I remain amazed at the innuendo people have been able to invent between their ears. Rumors in politics are like peanut butter and jelly. They just go together. Perhaps it is because our party's nominee and leadership spends so much time focusing on how to keep others from running and not on their own candidacy, that this seat has not gone Republican in more than 100 years?

"Buyers remorse is a tough pill to swallow. I cannot help but think that perhaps many who voted for Ilario Pantano are now realizing their nominee's claim to fame is the execution of two unarmed Iraqis? In turn, they are already attempting to set up a scapegoat (me) in order to justify his inevitable, massive failure in November.

"With that in mind, allow me to set the record straight: I will formally announce my future political intentions on Tuesday, May 18th, at 10 a.m. I will hold a press conference at the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government Center Drive in Wilmington. Members of the public and press are invited to attend. I am pleased to announce that I will be joined at that time by my fellow primary opponent, Randy Crow. I look forward to seeing you all then."

info@awilltowin.net


Verne Strickland, Wilmington, NC.

SEE ORIGINAL STORY & OTHER NC 7th ELECTIONS HAPPENEINGS AT THIS WEB SITE:

http://www.examiner.com/x-42565-NC-7th-Elections-2010-Examiner