Watt’s Confirmation Leads to Open Seat

Rep. Mel Watt (D-NC) “was confirmed to a top housing finance post Tuesday after Senate Democrats cleared a path for him by changing filibuster rules that Republicans had used to block his confirmation,” the Charlotte Observer reports.

Roll Call: “Watt’s departure from the district will kick off a frenzy among Tar Heel State Democrats looking to succeed him in the safe Democratic seat he has held for two decades.”

The special election will probably take place on previously scheduled election dates, which would mean a primary in February, with a runoff on May 6.