Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker may set the record for most mentions as a potential candidate for statewide office. But my bet is that he runs again for Mayor.

Rumors this summer had him looking at Attorney General (if Roy Cooper ran for Governor, which he won’t), State Treasurer (if Richard Moore runs for Governor, which he will) or Lieutenant Governor (Beverly Perdue has been running for Governor forever).

I even saw one letter to the editor pumping Meeker as a candidate for Governor. (Not happening.)

The only thing standing between Charles and statewide office is at least $1 million. Which is why I bet he runs for reelection.

He may win easily. But he needs to start worrying now, because here is the case against Meeker that a potential opponent might make:

• An over-budget Convention Center, a $20 million downtown hotel subsidy and a $34 million downtown underground parking deck;

• An overemphasis on downtown at the expense of fast-growing North Raleigh;

• More taxes and more fees (Carter’s favorite);

• More road congestion.

And the right opponent – a woman from North Raleigh, a Democrat and a centrist with business support – could make him wish he’d gone for the brass ring.

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