It seems that no one has any idea what GOP Rep. Mark Walker will do next year, including Walker himself, now that North Carolina’s court-ordered redistricting has utterly scrambled his old 6th District. Last week the National Journal reported that Walker had decided to either challenge Sen. Thom Tillis in the March GOP primary or wait until 2022 to run for office again. However, Politico writes that Walker is still thinking about taking on another House GOP incumbent this cycle in addition to Tillis.
Politico adds that Walker has privately told Rep. Patrick McHenry that he won’t run against him in the new 10th District, but it seems that Walker hasn’t ruled out facing off with incumbent Ted Budd in the new 13th District. The only thing that seems clear at this point is that Walker seems ready to keep everyone, including himself, guessing for the next week. Politico adds, “North Carolina Republicans who have spoken to Walker said he vacillates constantly between his alternatives and likely won’t decide until close to the Dec. 20 deadline.”
Budd himself isn’t waiting for Walker to make up his mind, though. Medium Buying reports that Budd will begin airing cable TV ads on Friday, though we don’t have word on the size of the buy.
However, Politico also notes that some Republicans have urged Walker to run for lieutenant governor, which would let him avoid a primary against an incumbent. Several Republicans are already seeking this open seat, though, so Walker wouldn’t be able to avoid a primary. Ironically, the field includes former Rep. Renee Ellmers, who was a redistricting victim the last time North Carolina had to redo its congressional map in 2016.
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