One close and hard-fought congressional race in North Carolina will signify how the election fares across the state and perhaps elsewhere.
It pits blue-trending suburban voters outside Raleigh against red-voting rural ones dominated by Trump loyalists.
Veteran Republican strategist Paul Shumaker said the 13th District contest between Democratic state senator Wiley Nickel and Republican political newcomer Bo Hines will be won or lost with suburban female voters.
“It’s two districts rolled into one,” agreed Morgan Jackson, a Democratic strategist who, like Shumaker, has deep experience in North Carolina politics. “It’s the closest, most swing race in North Carolina. It’s truly a jump ball.”…