Commerce chief Crisco eyeing lieutenant governor run

A source close to Democratic state Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco confirmed Friday that he’s considering a run for lieutenant governor.

Crisco has reportedly been asked to consider entering the race by Democrats who want "someone from the business community" on the ticket.

Before his appointment to Commerce in 2009, he was chief executive of Asheboro Elastics Corp. for more than 20 years. (He likes to joke that they made textiles to keep your underwear up and your sheets down.) He has an MBA from Harvard.

Crisco was apparently approached about the race in the past few days. He's expected to discuss the issue with his family over the weekend.

If he enters the race, Crisco would join State Personnel Director Linda Coleman and state Sen. Eric Mansfield on the May primary ballot.

Meanwhile, Triangle lawyer Hampton Dellinger, who lost in the primary to Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton four years ago, said he doesn't plan to run for the office this time around.

Dalton is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.

The candidate filing deadline is Wednesday.