In North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District, Democrat Billy Kennedy has won the endorsement of the Winston-Salem Journal over Republican incumbent Virginia Foxx.

The nod for the district’s largest newspaper indicates that Foxx’s extreme and often highly-publicized statements may be cutting her support despite her running in a heavily Republican district during a year that appears to favor GOP candidates.

“U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, a Republican from Watauga County, has not achieved any great accomplishments for the residents of the 5th Congressional District, and has angered and embarrassed many with her sometimes wild statements that seem designed to provoke,” the newspaper said in an editorial published Monday.

In support of Kennedy, the newspaper said, “It’s time for a fresh, progressive voice in the 5th District. We believe that Democrat Billy Kennedy, a Watauga farmer and carpenter who says he’ll work to reverse the high rate of unemployment in the district, is that voice. He’s the best candidate in the Nov. 2 election for the 5th District.”

Kennedy, 52, best known as a host of a local AM radio talk show, has made job creation his central issue. Foxx, 67, who is seeking a fourth term in the seat formerly held by Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, has stressed tax cuts and called for repeal of the new federal health-care legislation.

The editorial focused on remarks by Foxx that have “embarrassed” many residents in a district that includes Winston-Salem and the northwest corner of the state.

Foxx, who holds a doctorate in education from UNC-Greensboro, has said the federal government has no role in education. She told students that tobacco was no worse than the soft drink Mountain Dew.

On the floor of the House last November, Foxx said the Democrat-backed heath-care bill was a greater threat to national security than terrorism. And in her most notorious comment, she declared on the House floor that the murder of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming in 1998 — a death that has come to symbolize persecution of homosexuals — was a “hoax” that had nothing to do with Shepard being gay.

Lainey Edmisten, Kennedy’s campaign manager, said of the newspaper’s support, “We’re extremely excited. It’s a great endorsement form the district’s largest newspaper.”

The Foxx campaign could not be reached for comment.

Kennedy is making his first run for office. He has raised about $240,000 compared to more than $1 million raised by Foxx.

(Photos: Flickr/Rep. Virginia Foxx; Facebook/Billy Kennedy for Congress – Bowman Gray)