Now that the deadline for legislators and their challengers to file their notice of candidacy for 2010 has past, we have a clear picture of the state’s primary elections on May 4. While the 2010 election is not headlined by Presidential or even Council of State races, it will determine who controls the redistricting that will follow the upcoming 2010 census.

At the top of the ballot this year is the US Senate race with incumbent Sen. Richard Burr (R) facing three primary challengers. Six challengers will face off in the Democrat’s primary, with NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall running again along with former State Sen. Cal Cunningham.

Of the thirteen representatives from North Carolina for the US House, seven incumbents face no primary challengers: Etheridge (D-2); Price (D-4); McIntyre (D-7); Myrick (R-9); Watt (D-12); and Miller (D-13). The six others each face primary opponents, with Rep. Howard Coble facing the most at five.

In the North Carolina General Assembly, Democrats currently control the both the House and the Senate chambers. In the Senate, Democrats have a 30-20 majority. The GOP has a candidate running in each of the 50 state Senate districts. . This high level of Senate activity coincides with a series of Democratic retirements. Former Democratic Majority Leader Tony Rand retired earlier this year, and Democratic Caucus Chairman Sen. R. C. Soles and longtime Finance Chairman Sen. David Hoyle will retire at the end of this session, among others.

In the House, 69 seats belong to Democrats while Republicans hold 51. The 2010 elections will see 82 seats challenged, while 29 districts have only Republican candidates and 9 have only Democratic candidates.

The structure of election years in North Carolina is worth noting. In recent times, the primary has occurred shortly before the short session convenes. Adjournment of that session and the biennium occurs some time in late summer/early fall, followed closely by the general election in November. This timing has unique and interesting effects on campaigns and legislative activity (or lack thereof).