Republican Congressman Patrick McHenry is seeking re-election in the Tenth Congressional District, which includes the southern and western areas of Iredell County. He is opposed by Democrat candidate Richard Carsner. Thus far, the race has been far quieter than the contest in the Fifth District.

During his first term in Congress, McHenry has compiled a consistently conservative voting record. He received national attention for being the youngest member of Congress.

Vernon Robinson is an outspoken and articulate conservative who has described himself as “the black Jesse Helms.” Two years ago, he ran a strong second in the Republican primary in the Fifth Congressional district.

This year he is running for Congress in the Thirteenth District, which includes part of the Raleigh area and several counties along the Virginia border. Incumbent Democrat Brad Miller is one of the most liberal members of Congress.

Robinson is aggressively attacking Miller’s liberal voting record. But he faces an uphill fight in the district, which John Kerry carried in the 2004 election.

The Eleventh Congressional District includes the far-western end of the state. Long-term Republican Congressman Charles Taylor is locked in a tight race with challenger Heath Shuler. Taylor has been hurt by allegations of financial wrongdoing. Political observers agree this contest offers the Democrats their best chance to pick up a Republican Congressional seat in North Carolina.