Election 2012

For Mike Steinberg, it’s a badge of honor: Before longtime incumbent Rep. Sue Myrick bowed out, before any other Republicans jumped in, he was first to announce in the 9th Congressional District.

Robert Pittenger never thinks small. As a new state senator in 2003, he invited doctors to Raleigh to lobby for tort reform: 3,000 showed up.

Days before U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick told the world that she wouldn’t run for a 10th term, she told Jim Pendergraph. Then she threw him her support. As much as anything, that placed a target on him in the crowded 9th District Republican primary.

Since Edwin Peacock announced his congressional bid, lightning struck his Charlotte home, knocking out nine windows. During a Colorado ski trip, he cracked a rib. Then he twisted an ankle in a trail race, forcing him to walk with a crutch.

Richard Lynch may be a Republican, but he’s no fan of Congressional Republicans. Or anybody else in Washington.

Ken Leonczyk worked in the wreckage of ground zero, helped defuse a hostage situation in New Orleans and preached the Bible in war-torn Sudan.

The last time Ric Killian had a challenger was in 2006 – and he beat him 19-14.

A Republican congressional forum flared into a personal feud Wednesday night as Jim Pendergraph accused Robert Pittenger of lying and Pittenger defended the TV ad that started it all.

Most congressional candidates this year are running as outsiders eager to put as much distance as possible between themselves and Washington.

Two Republicans running for Congress in the 9th District have waded into the debate over North Carolina’s marriage amendment – from opposite sides.

Andy Dulin had only met the man once, at a veterans’ rally that weekend. But at a south Charlotte restaurant last week, he greeted the man like an old friend, chatted him up like a pal and left him with a Dulin-for-Congress card.

For Republican Dan Barry, the 9th District seems a perfect fit.