By Congress Daily

The moderate Republican Main Street Partnership PAC announced Monday it is endorsing former Corning Cable Systems President Sandy Lyons in the GOP primary in the race to replace retiring Rep. Cass Ballenger, R-N.C.

"An experienced and successful businessman, Lyons would bring to Congress a solid understanding of how to lead the nation and his district through both tough and prosperous economic times," a PAC spokeswoman said.

Ballenger already has endorsed Lyons as his successor. Lyons, who contributed $210,000 of his own money to his campaign in the first quarter, faces three other Republicans in a July 20 primary fn western North Carolina's 10th District.

Lyons' strongest competition is likely to come from Carolina Mills Chairman George Moretz, who as of the end of the first quarter had loaned his campaign $186,000.

The Main Street PAC this election cycle has also endorsed the re-election of bid of Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, the Senate candidacy of Rep. George Nethercutt of Washington, and the re-election bids of Reps. Sherwood Boehlert of New York, Wayne Gilchrest of Maryland and Rob Simmons of Connecticut.

The group also has backed GOP congressional nominees Charlie Dent and Melissa Brown in Pennsylvania and GOP House contenders John (Joe) Schwarz in Michigan and Adam Taff in Kansas. Dent, Brown and Schwarz are seeking open seats, while Taff is vying to take on Democratic Rep. Dennis Moore.