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Mecklenburg County commissioner Jim Pendergraph Wednesday jumped into the race for Rep. Sue Myrick's 9th District congressional seat.
The Republican announced his candidacy a day after Myrick's announcement that she wouldn't seek a 10th term. Her announcement came as a surprise to many, but not to Pendergraph. She'd told her longtime supporter over lunch last month.
In announcing, Pendergraph, a former Mecklenburg County sheriff, called himself a "law enforcement candidate." The former Democrat criticized President Barack Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress.
If elected, he said he'll push for expansion of the 287(g) program, which begins deportation proceedings against people found to be in the country illegally after an arrest.
"I don't do this for drill," he said of the campaign. "I'm in this to win."
A Myrick spokeswoman released a statement saying the congresswoman hasn't endorsed anyone.
Meanwhile, several Republicans are considering the race. Two are already in.
Michael Steinberg, a Matthews businessman, has said he wants to "radically transform" Washington. And Michael Shaffer, who owns a real estate company, is running on a platform that includes term limits.
Mecklenburg commissioner Bill James, a Republican who toyed with the idea of running, said he would not.
