Former Marine Pantano Wins GOP Primary in NC-7

Let's hear it for Ilario Pantano, who decisively won his primary in the 7th Congressional District of North Carolina.

A former Marine who beat a war-zone murder charge handily won the Republican race Tuesday to challenge Democratic Congressman Mike McIntyre.

Ilario Gregory Pantano, who traded energy on Wall Street between stints in the military, defeated two others in the U.S. House District 7 GOP primary.

Unofficial results show Pantano received 51 percent of the 33,425 ballots cast in the race. Will Breazeale came in second with 35 percent, and Randy Crow received 14 percent.

The 10-county district stretches from Wilmington to Fayetteville.

"I think that we saw some real excitement in our message and some real excitement in our style," Pantano said.

The loser comes off like a whiny brat.

Breazeale, who lost to McIntyre in 2008, said he's leaving politics and won't support Pantano.

"I think we were outspent, and I think the Republican Party way of doing things allowed a snake-oil salesman disguised as a congressional candidate to successfully hide his very troubling record," Breazeale said.

Pantano first gained national attention in 2004, when he was charged with murder for killing two Iraqis he said made a threatening move toward him. His Marine commander dropped the charges before trial, exonerating Pantano.

Breazeale needs to get over himself. Pantano's history is out there for all to see and he isn't hiding anything. A simple Google search will tell you everything you need to know. Not only that Pantano currently serves as a sheriff so it's not like he's keeping a low profile.

Now for the hard part. A Republican hasn't held this seat in 140 years.

North Carolina's 7th Congressional District includes all or parts of 10 Southeastern North Carolina counties, including Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender.

McIntyre is serving his seventh term in the House. A Republican hasn't held the Wilmington area's seat since Alexander H. Jones in 1871, nearly 140 years ago, according to the Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives.

But guess what? According to Jim Geraghty this looks like a great opportunity for a GOP pickup.

Mike McIntyre, North Carolina: This seven-term Democrat would be safe in an ordinary year, but he felt enough pressure back in his district to vote against the health-care bill. GOP challenger Ilario Pantano, a police officer, raised $103,000, which is more than McIntyre did; the district rates an R+8 on the Cook PVI.