A quick look at the GOP primary in the 1st Congressional District

Sen. Bobby Hanig leads the early field, but a potential new candidate would change everything.

It’s not every day that an open seat in Congress comes around, and that’s exactly what we have in the newly drawn 1st Congressional District in eastern North Carolina.

This is the seat currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Davis, now made more friendly for Republicans. These sorts of races tend to draw 10- to 12-person primaries, and I’d expect nothing less here.

I don’t pretend to be a expert in northeastern North Carolina politics, but here’s how I see the race shaping up so far.

Hanig leads the early field

I’m almost certainly missing some names here. But from where I sit, the two most serious declared Republicans right now are Sen. Bobby Hanig of Currituck County and Rocky Mount mayor Sandy Roberson.

Hanig is no stranger to competitive elections, and he’s built a solid conservative record and a strong base along the Outer Banks and Albemarle region. He announced his campaign in early September. He’s on the outs with Sen. Phil Berger, but that probably doesn’t hurt him all that muc…