Cunningham, Democrat from Lexington, back in race for Burr seat

RALEIGH (By James Romoser, Winston-Salem Journal) - Cal Cunningham, a Democrat from Lexington, announced this morning that he will run for U.S. Senate against incumbent Republican Richard Burr.

Cunningham is an attorney, a former state legislator, and a veteran of the Iraq war. He becomes the third Democrat to enter the race against Burr. The others are Elaine Marshall, North Carolina's secretary of state, and Kenneth Lewis, an attorney from Durham.

Cunningham made the announcement in a video posted on his web site and in an e-mail he sent to supporters. His announcement is a reversal from last month, when he said he had decided not to run.

In the web video, he said he has gotten hundreds of phone calls urging him to join the race. In addition, he was recruited by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which will likely play a critical fundraising role in next year's election.

National Democrats believe Burr, of Winston-Salem, is one of the most vulnerable Senate Republicans up for re-election in 2010.

In his video, Cunningham said he would fight against Wall Street firms and corporate interests that he said caused the economic crisis.