North Carolina has its primary election Tuesday. Two Republican primaries have been marked by comments of tea party-backed candidates that feel President Barack Obama's birth certificate might not be real. Known as the "birther movement," two representative primary races have been marked with ultra-conservative views that Obama was not born in the U.S. and shouldn't be president.
* The Charlotte Observer reported on Richard Hudson, a leading Republican candidate in the 8th District. GOP members are vying to unseat Democratic Rep. Larry Kissell.
* Hudson told a meeting of tea party members in Rowan County, "there's no question President Obama is hiding something on his citizenship."
* One of Hudson's opponents, John Whitley, said the s birth certificate is a "poorly reproduced forgery."
* Even a public official elected to office is touting Obama's "fake" birth certificate. The Charlotte Observer stated Jim Pendergraph felt he had "reason to be suspicious" about the document. Pendergraph is running in the 9th District.
* Pendergraph was making a campaign appearance in Charlotte with Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, one of the leading advocates in the "birther" movement. The candidate is a commissioner in Mecklenburg County and a former sheriff.
* The Observer had endorsed Pendergraph until several missteps. The newspaper then removed its endorsement after the birther flak. The media outlet is endorsing Edwin Peacock or Ric Killian.
* WCNC states there are 10 Republicans in the primary for the 9th District because Rep. Sue Myrick is retiring.
* The crowded field will likely go to a runoff election July 17. The candidate who goes to the general election is favored to win Myrick's seat.
* Money is playing a huge factor in the 9th District race. Robert Pittenger has invested over $1.1 million of his own money. Pendergraph stated the "well's near dry" with the other nine candidates who don't have as much disposable income.
William Browning is a research librarian specializing in U.S. politics. Born in St. Louis, Browning is active in local politics and served as a campaign volunteer for President Barack Obama and Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill.
