Source:  THE NEWS & OBSERVER, 11/18/09

Former Lt. Gov. Dennis Wicker said Wednesday that he does not plan to challenge Republican Sen. Richard Burr next year. Wicker, a Raleigh lawyer and a Democrat, said he seriously considered a Senate bid and received strong encouragement to take the plunge. "The demands of raising $15 million to $20 million is just an enormous amount of money," Wicker said. He also cited the demands of a relatively young family and a full-time law practice. "Richard Burr is going to be a tough opponent," Wicker said. "But it is a winnable race for a Democrat." Wicker is a former state House majority leader and was a candidate for governor in 2000. There are two Democrats who have announced their candidacy: Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and Chapel Hill lawyer Kenneth Lewis. U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge and former state Sen. Cal Cunningham have both said they are not entering the race.