A who's who of who's traveling to Houston

The Carolinas will send a hefty VIP delegation to Houston for the Super Bowl, including a senator, a governor and a mayor.

Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., will cheer for her team while wearing her Panthers jersey, said spokesman Brian Nick. She got her ticket from team owner Jerry Richardson, he said.

Because of congressional ethics rules, she will pay for her own travel and lodging and reimburse Richardson for the ticket. Nick said she will use campaign funds.

U.S. Reps. Sue Myrick, R-N.C., and Mel Watt, D-N.C., both of Charlotte, also will pay their own way to Houston, their representatives said.

Gov. Mike Easley of North Carolina plans to go. Easley is buying his ticket from the Panthers and will not travel at taxpayers' expense, said spokeswoman Cari Boyce.

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory will travel to his third straight Panthers playoff game. He went to St. Louis and Philadelphia using the tickets and chartered jet of CPI Security Systems, a home-security company that does not conduct business with the city.

McCrory did not return calls asking how he is getting to Houston.

Rep. Richard Morgan, R-Moore, co-speaker of the N.C. House of Representatives, said he and his wife were invited to the game by Alltel. The Morgans will be wearing their Panthers jerseys -- No. 55, of course, for linebacker Dan Morgan.

Richard Morgan said he won't travel at state expense, but he wasn't sure about the total cost of the trip or how it would be reconciled when the bill comes due.

State rules apply to lobbyists talking to legislators about specific bills, and advocacy groups have complained that this creates a loophole if particular issues are not discussed.

Also heading to Houston: Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Patrick Cannon. He said a childhood friend offered him the chance to buy a ticket. Cannon snapped it up and planned a road trip.

"If I would have had to (ride) a tricycle, there's no way I would have gotten to miss what will be a historical moment," said Cannon, who led cheers at last week's pep rally in his DeShaun Foster jersey.

Cannon would not name his friend but said he does not do city business.

City spokeswoman Julie Hill said she was not aware of any city officials traveling to Houston at public expense.

Sgt. Ricky Robbins of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is providing security for the Panthers coaches, but he is working off-duty. The team, not the city, will pay his expenses, said police spokesman Keith Bridges.

S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford saw the Panthers play several times this year, but he can't make it to the big game. Sanford, a Republican, will be in Charleston doing his monthly training as a captain in the Air Force Reserve, said spokesman Will Folks.