Christmas ad, Bannon draw early attention to NC congressional race

"Christmas, a time we honor the birth of Jesus Christ. Yet, some choose political correctness, attacking our faith and values, refusing to say Merry Christmas," a woman intones in the 30-second ad.

"I've dedicated my life to sharing God's love through Jesus Christ," Pittenger says later in the ad. "Let's end political correctness and put the true meaning of Christ back into Christmas."

Pittenger faces an expected primary challenge next May from Rev. Mark Harris, a Charlotte pastor, whom he defeated by a mere 134 votes in 2016.

"I think it's an important statement that we need to make," the three-term congressman said Thursday to explain the reason for running the ad. "I want people to know who I am and what I believe."

Longtime Republican strategist Marc Rotterman said, however, that he thinks the ad is a mistake.

"I just don’t think there’s any place in politics for that. Run on your record," Rotterman said. "You have your personal beliefs, and you’re free to express them, and he’s free to express them in an ad, but bringing that in and kind of wearing that on your sleeve, I think it could turn as many people off – moderate Republicans – as it could to ingratiate himself with evangelical Christians."

The 9th District stretches along the North Carolina-South Carolina line from Charlotte to Robeson County and takes in much of Cumberland County.

The ad is clearly aimed at cutting into Harris' "market share" among religious conservatives ahead of the primary, Rotterman said, adding that Harris has an extensive grassroots network that could boost his candidacy in a midterm election.

"This is about getting your people to the polls, and I think [Harris] has a tremendous opportunity to do that," he said. "I don’t discount the power of the incumbency, but there’s not going to be a whole lot of people showing up in May."

The race also is attracting early attention because Steve Bannon, President Donald Trump's controversial former adviser, is reportedly planning to support Harris.

Pittenger, meanwhile, is close to longtime GOP strategist and former President George W. Bush adviser Karl Rove, a frequent Bannon adversary.

"I think there’s a presupposition here that Bannon’s involved," Pittenger said. "He hasn’t apparently checked in yet, from Mr. Harris’ own words."

Neither Bannon nor Harris returned requests for comment Thursday.

Two months ago, Republicans were competing for Bannon's endorsement. But after he backed Roy Moore's unsuccessful U.S. Senate run in Alabama, Bannon's political future is uncertain.

"I think Bannon’s 15 minutes of fame may be over because, frankly, the funding’s drying up for him," Rotterman said. "Does he have some cachet because he’s a celebrity? Absolutely. Did he take a hit losing Moore? Absolutely."

At this point, Rotterman said, Bannon may need Harris more than Harris needs Bannon.

"If he can win in North Carolina, he can be partially redeemed, but he's going to have to put a lot more time and money into it than just dropping by and doing a few campaign stops," he said.

Pittenger said he doesn't care what Bannon does in the race.

"I’m running my race. I don’t know, and I don’t care [about Bannon]. All I want is to let folks know who I am and what I’ve done for them," he said. "What Mr. Bannon does is not really on the forefront of our focus."