Duke lacrosse: Durham DA election update - 7-10-06

Readers’ Note: I live in Durham and support Lewis Cheek for Durham DA.

What you find here above the star line is straight reporting. What’s below the star line is opinion commentary.

John
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Confirming what was first reported here Saturday, Durham County Board of Election Director Mike Ashe today announced Durham County Commissioner Lewis Cheek’s name will be on the November ballot as a candidate for District Attorney.

From newsobserver.com:

County Commissioner Lewis Cheek will appear on the November ballot as a challenger to District Attorney Mike Nifong, elections officials say, even if the veteran Democratic politician decides not to run against the embattled prosecutor.

Ashe said Cheek’s name will be on the ballot regardless of whether or not he actively campaigns for the office.

Local TV station WRAL is reporting tonight that a Cheek representative has announced Cheek will hold a news conference tomorrow, Tuesday, at 9:30 a. m. No word on the purpose of the conference but is widely expected here in Durham that Cheek will announce he will actively campaign for the DA’s office.

Other news – In a letter to the editor of the Durham Herald Sun, attorney and Durham Republican leader Steve Monks, who unsuccessfully sought to get his name on the ballot to oppose current DA Mike Nifong, has made it clear he’ll only be a write-in candidate if Cheek doesn’t run. From Monks’ letter:

If [Cheek] doesn't run, I intend to submit myself as write-in candidate. Petition supporters have indicated that they want a choice; and isn't that what elections are about?

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Opinion commentary:

It’s a safe call that Cheek will announce tomorrow he’ll actively seek the DA’s office.

Why didn’t he do it today? Many of you know part of the answer: By waiting until tomorrow, Cheek has two days of headlines instead of one.

But I think there’s at least one other reason why Cheek didn’t announce today: He wants to arrange for family, friends and key supporters to be there.

Couldn't Cheek have arranged all that days ago, you may be asking.

Yes, he could have, but Durham’s still a small enough place that “the word” would have started getting around.

Bingo! Nifong’s supporters (there really are such people) would have said: “See, Cheek’s so presumptuous. He's acting like he's already on the ballot. That’s another reason you shouldn't vote for him.”

Better for Cheek to wait a day.

Here’s a pretty safe prediction: Before the race is over, Steve Monks will be actively supporting Cheek; and that’s likely to happen sooner rather than later.

I'll post another Durham DA election update within the next few days.