State Rep. Grier Martin (D) told a local newspaper late last week that he will not challenge Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R) in 2008.

Martin, an Army major, is the latest in a long list of North Carolina Democrats who have decided not to challenge Dole. Earlier last week, state Sen. Kay Hagan (D) said she would not run, and better-known Democrats already have taken a pass, including Gov. Mike Easley, state Attorney General Roy Cooper and Rep. Brad Miller.

Chapel Hill investment banker Jim Neal is the lone Democratic candidate so far.

— Matthew Murray