According to a message sent this morning by Chairman Tom Fetzer, Peck has been hired with a formal start date of Dec. 1.

Fetzer states:

I am pleased to announce that Russell has accepted our offer and will begin work on December 1. He will join us less than a month after helping to engineer a thrilling victory for Republicans in New Jersey's gubernatorial race this year. Many of you remember Russell from his work last year as North Carolina's Victory Director, during which he built a statewide organization that did a fantastic job in a less than ideal political environment.

Russell has the experience and ability to help lead the NCGOP to victory next year. I'm looking forward to working with him, as I am sure you are as well.

Some are already questioning the combined salary of $200,000 for a full-time chair and a full-time executive director.

So what will be the yard stick? Control of both houses of the state legislature? Reelection of Sen. Burr? Is their a congressional seat that is feasibly in play?

We would love to hear your perspectives on these developments.