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Lots of dominoes are falling in North Carolina politics.
Republican Dan Bishop announced last month he’s leaving Congress to run for attorney general.
Gov. Roy Cooper endorsed Josh Stein last week in the race for governor, which was possibly an effort to keep North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Michael Morgan out of the race.
Republican Pat Harrigan announced last week he’s running for Congress in a Charlotte-area district, even though new maps haven’t been drawn.
These events all lead back to Democratic Rep. Jeff Jackson, who represents a North Carolina district that includes half of Mecklenburg County and most of Gaston County. It’s a safe Democratic seat.
But the General Assembly is going to draw a new congressional map this fall. It’s expected Republicans will change three blue seats to red seats, including Jackson’s. Political observers believe that would likely push him to run for attorney general against Bishop.
Jackson recently released a video in which he told supporters that new maps are coming — and that Republicans will “use that as an opportunity to take me out."
Here comes redistricting in NC. They’ve made it clear I’m a target.
— Rep. Jeff Jackson (@JeffJacksonNC) August 23, 2023
Here’s what to expect: pic.twitter.com/SFL0GzMNNL
As these dominoes fall and the 2024 races take shape, Jackson is like an airliner in a holding pattern.
He could announce now he’s running for attorney general.
But what if the GOP draws a purple seat that he could win?
That would be a big boost to Bishop’s chances of winning the attorney general race — since Jackson would arguably be the strongest opponent he could face.
