Broome may run for N.C. Senate

The Charlotte Observer ^ | February 19, 2004 | MICHELLE CROUCH

[JohnnyZ]

Darryl Broome, a longtime member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission, is considering a run for N.C. Senate.

The 42-year-old Republican is eyeing the new Senate district in the University City area and north Mecklenburg, which still must be approved by the courts.

Broome could face off against former Democratic state Sen. Fountain Odom or Democratic Charlotte City Council member Malcolm Graham. Both have expressed interest in the seat.

"I can give the people in that district something to be excited about," Broome said. "I'm not just a status quo, everyday politician."

Broome became the first black Republican ever nominated in an at-large city primary in 1989 when he ran at-large for Charlotte City Council, but he didn't win the seat in the general election. He also failed in a bid for the council's District 4 seat in 1991.

"The thing that excited me most (about those campaigns) was that many black people told me they voted Republican for me for the first time in their lives," Broome said. "Although I'm a Republican, I've been around a long time, and I have a lot of Democratic friends."

The new seat was created in November when state lawmakers approved new boundary lines for the districts they represent. Republican legislators are challenging the redistricting plan in state court.

[JohnnyZ]

The district is gerrymandered to elect a Democrat, specifically Odom, who I defeated in 2002. Well, I guess Robert Pittenger defeated him with the help of my vote, but whatever. Odom relocated to the north side district from the south side after the new map was passed.

Broome, if elected, would be the only elected black Republican in state government; there are several at the local level, county commissioners and city councilmen and so forth.

[JohnnyZ]

"Democrats make up 46 percent of the registered voters in the district, and Republicans are 33 percent.

Nearly 60 percent of the district's registered Democrats are African-American, so Democrats reasoned that black voters can decide the primary."

http://newsobserver.com/dome/story/3165658p-2857961c.html

NC Senate ping

[JohnnyZ]

The district's performance is 55-43 Democrat on a good day, 58-40 on a bad day.