Nov. 8. By Dave Vieser. [10:30pm] A strong showing in The Peninsula has helped Republican incumbent Representative John Bradford in the District 98 contest. Precinct 242 went 1,560 votes for Bradford, 510 for challenger Jane Campbell. Bradford forces were camped at Jack’s Corner Tap in Cornelius, where there was a festive mood. The atmosphere is quieter at Jane Campbell’s campaign night gathering at the Fox and Hound in Birkdale.

While it looked like the toll lanes would motivate voters, it was HB2 that turned House District 98’s contest into an actual race. Bradford initially looked likely to run unopposed, as no Democrat had filed to challenge him by the deadline.

U.S. Navy Capt. Jane Campbell, a Davidson College graduate, was spurred to run by her opposition to HB2 — and by Bradford’s sponsorship of the bill. Because the filing deadline had passed by the time HB2 became law, Campbell had to collect signatures to get on the ballot. She is running as unaffiliated, with the backing of the Democratic party.