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RALEIGH — All 10 lawmakers who represent Guilford County at the General Assembly say they either have decided to run again next year or are leaning that way.

“I’m strongly considering it,” said Rep. John Blust , a Greensboro Republican who has served in the House and Senate. “I really would like the chance, before I don’t run again, to be in the majority.”

Democrats have controlled the state Senate for more than a century. Republicans had outright control of the House for two terms during the 1990s and shared power for one term this decade.

Blust and other North Carolina Republicans are hoping that a combination of factors — anger at President Barack Obama’s policies, a typical mid-term election slump for the president’s party and possible retirements of longtime Democrats — could give them control of one or both chambers in 2010.

“There are good possibilities for pickups out there, and we’re working hard now to recruit good candidates and talk to people about things we see as things the Democrats are doing wrong,” said Sen. Phil Berger , an Eden Republican who represents parts of Guilford County. He is also his party’s leader in the Senate.

Those pickups may be tough in Greensboro and the surrounding area, where most incumbents — Democrats and Republicans — say they are likely to stay in office. Incumbent legislators have advantages in name recognition and fundraising ability that make it tough for political newcomers to unseat them.

“I’ve got some things I still want to accomplish over in transportation,” said Rep. Nelson Cole , a Reidsville Democrat whose district borders Guilford County. Cole is seen as a conservative who sometimes breaks with his party over fiscal matters but whose votes help Democrats retain control of the House.

Rep. Hugh Holliman , the Democratic majority leader in the House, may face the toughest re-election prospects if recent history is a guide. He won his 2008 election with 52.6 percent of the vote, a relatively narrow margin for a longtime and relatively powerful incumbent.

“Every once in a while I question myself on it, but at this point I’m planning on running,” Holliman said.

Back in Guilford County, the most tentative answer came from Rep. Laura Wiley , who represents High Point and the surrounding area.

“We’ve got a little time to decide that,” Wiley said. “I’m certainly giving it serious thought, as we all do at this time.”

In the Senate, four senators represent parts of Guilford County: Berger, Denton Republican Stan Bingham and Democrats Katie Dorsett and Don Vaughan . All four say they will run again.

Along with Blust and Wiley, four Democrats represent Guilford County in the House: Alma Adams, Pricey Harrison, Maggie Jeffus and Earl Jones.

Jones, who said “of course” when asked whether he would run again, faces a primary challenge from Marcus Brandon , a native of the district who has been raising money for a run against the incumbent.

Jeffus said she had heard a rumor she might step away from the political spotlight but didn’t know how it started.

“I’ve never told anyone I’m not running,” Jeffus said. “I’ve reached a level where I feel like I have some impact. ...I would have to give that up.”

Jeffus and Adams have been full appropriations chairwomen over the past two sessions, meaning they have a great deal of say over how the state budget is structured.

“I’m feeling very positive,” Adams said. “I’ve got some more work to do at the General Assembly.”

Harrison and Adams said last week they had or were about to hold fundraisers to fuel their re-election efforts.

“I’m intending to come back if the voters will have me,” Harrison said.

Contact Mark Binker at (919) 832-5549 or mark.binker@news-record.com