A Republican state lawmaker who was considering a challenge to deeply vulnerable Rep. Larry Kissell (D-N.C.) is opting against a bid after all.

State Rep. Jerry Dockham (R) told Roll Call Friday that he won’t be taking on Kissell despite new lines that make the Democrat’s district far more favorable to the GOP.

“I’ve pretty well given up on a Congressional run,” Dockham said. He said he believes he could better represent his constituents as a legislator in Raleigh, N.C.

But without Dockham in the race, Kissell is far from in the clear. Insurance executive Daniel Barry, former Iredell County Commissioner Scott Keadle and Vernon Robinson so far are competing for the GOP nod to take on Kissell in the Tar Heel state’s 8th Congressional district. Two potential future Republican entrants into the race are businessman Pat Molamphy and state Rep. Justin Burr.

In the current district only 47 percent of voters cast their ballot for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the 2008 presidential election. Under the lines passed into law in late July by the Republican Legislature, the 8th would have voted 57 percent for McCain.

Roll Call Politics rates this race Likely Republican.