Ferrell Guillory, director of the Program on Southern Politics at the University of North Carolina, says the Foley scandal could have an impact on state races:

“After Iraq, this is a double blow” to the party’s prospects, even at the state level. This has blown the (North Carolina lottery scandal) right out of the water. This is something that ordinary voters can relate too,” he said. This is an issue you expect leaders to deal with.”

That will remain to be seen.