After coming to Washington, D.C., earlier this month to discuss his possible candidacy with the National Republican Congressional Committee, former Carolina Panthers star safety Mike Minter has decided to pass on the race, a spokeswoman said last week.

Minter had contemplated challenging freshman Rep. Larry Kissell (D) in his Charlotte-based district. While Kissell took 55 percent against then-Rep. Robin Hayes (R) last November, President Barack Obama carried the district with just 52 percent. Some Republicans believed that Minter, who is black, would have performed well and would have been able to cut into Kissell’s base in the district, which has a nearly 27 percent black population.

McIntyre Opens Small Crack to Senate Bid

After Attorney General Roy Cooper (D), Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton (D) and Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker all recently said no to the idea of challenging Sen. Richard Burr (R) in 2010, Rep. Mike McIntyre (D) said last week that he’s at least considering the possibility — even though it doesn’t sound likely that he’ll run.

“I have received encouragement to consider the possibility of running for the U.S. Senate,— McIntyre said last week. “I can tell you that although you never say never to anything, my job right now is the United States Congress. We’re already looking ahead to get ready for next year’s election— in the 7th district.

Rep. Heath Shuler has already passed on the Senate race, but some Democratic insiders say he’s still on party recruitment lists. Reps. Bob Etheridge and Brad Miller have also been mentioned as possible challengers to Burr next year.