What's the matter with North Carolina's 8th district?

Both parties are having problems with their base in North Carolina's 8th district.

Businessman Tim D'Annunzio (R) pointedly refused to endorse former broadcaster Harold Johnson after he lost to him in the GOP House runoff on Tuesday.

"I will say first and foremost that I cannot endorse Harold Johnson and his underhanded campaign tactics," D'Annunzio said in a statement. "What he's done is a continuation of politics as usual, and for that I will not be supporting him."

Johnson, who will face Rep. Larry Kissell (D-N.C.) in November, had called D’Annunzio "a troubled man" in TV ads that describe "a history of drug use and time in prison."

The Democratic incumbent has his own problems.

Kissell had a mediocre showing in his May primary. And earlier this month, the Service Employees International Union qualified an independent candidate to run against him. Kissell angered unions and progressive Democrats by voting against the healthcare reform bill in March.