RALEIGH, N.C. — Some Republican insiders are questioning the GOP challenge to the latest district maps.

State Sen. Patrick Ballantine is one of the Republicans involved in the lawsuit. He is also a candidate for governor.

Political consultants said the redistricting challenge will likely lead to a delayed primary, which could hurt the eventual republican nominee, because that person will have less time to launch a fight against Gov. Mike Easley.

Another way a delayed primary hurts is in the wallet. Lower political advertising rates do not kick in until a primary is set.

Ballantine contends he has plenty of cash in his coffers.

"We set a goal for 2003 to raise $1 million. By the end of December, we blew past that goal."

Democrats are not wasting any time making contingency plans if the primary is delayed. The executive committee meets this weekend to approve caucuses for selecting delegates to the Democratic National Convention.