Snyder Still Mulling Run

Jim Snyder, a lawyer from Lexington, is still considering a second run at the office of lieutenant governor — and as he contemplates his chances, he is closely watching what happens in the presidential race.

In 2004, the Republican Snyder ran unsuccessfully against incumbent Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue. He received 43 percent of the vote. Earlier this year, he told the Journal that he was thinking of running again. This afternoon, he told Trail Mix that he still has not made a final decision but that he continues to examine the 2008 political landscape and has been speaking with Republican Party leaders. He said he expects to decide within the next few weeks. Candidates who want to run for state office in 2008 have until Feb. 29 to file the necessary paperwork.

Snyder said that one of the factors in his decision will be which presidential candidates in each party emerge as the likely nominees. It’s an often-overlooked but important factor for Republicans trying to chip away at the Democratic control of the state executive branch. For instance, Snyder said he believes John McCain and Rudy Giuliani would do well in North Carolina, and he would like to run on a ticket headed by either of them. On the Democratic side, he believes Barack Obama would be the Democratic presidential nominee who would be most favorable for North Carolina’s Republican candidates. Some Republicans are hoping that Hillary Clinton is the nominee, believing that her polarizing reputation would motivate the Republican base to turn out in large numbers. But Snyder disagrees. “She’s coming across as being the toughest of all of them,“ he said. “She is going to be a very formidable candidate in this day and time.“

If Snyder decides to run, he will enter a crowded field. So far, on the Republican side, Greg Dority and Robert Pittenger are running for lieutenant governor. On the Democratic side, Dan Besse, Walter Dalton, Hampton Dellinger and Pat Smathers are running.