Breaking down the NC congressional races

This month’s column is a table setter, breaking down the North Carolina congressional elections district by district based on the new maps and candidates leaning toward a run. As noted, the districts may change, but for now here’s how things are looking.

New congressional districts set up 2012 races: Advantage, Republicans

In print and on line in the Independent Weekly

North Carolina is proving to be a key state in the GOP strategy to maintain control of the U.S. House. Now that redistricting has set the table, the party and outside groups are preparing to pour enormous resources into close races to unseat Democratic incumbents now in less favorable districts.

Republican leaders are counting on picking up seats in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and other states where they’ve been able to command the redistricting process in order to offset expected losses in Illinois and California.