NC Governor

Our Democratic candidates for governor will join us for the first online gubernatorial debate in North Carolina history.

I just received this in email, and though I'd pass it on here. The focus of this forum will be candidates for governor (Democratic and Republican) and Lt. Governor (Democratic) focusing on issues of relevance to people with developmental disabilities, mental health issues, and "sas" issues, which I am assuming are substance abuse issues, but it's not my field, so I'm sure Gordon can correct me if I'm wrong. Anyhow - the really cool thing about this is that we've been asking for these issues to be addressed, and now a whole day will be spent addressing them. Another cool thing - I have that day off. So I'm going, and will either live blog, or write and post later. Anyone care to join me for all or part of the day?

The seven-term Charlotte mayor today filed a statement of organization with the NC Board of Elections signaling his intention to run for governor. And why wouldn't he? McCrory has had months to take a good look at the other three Republican candidates, and no doubt figures he can coast to the Party of Greed nomination.

Just wondering who former Gov James Hunt supports as the next NC Governor??

If you've driven recently on US 70 from Raleigh to Kinston, you faced the extremely unpleasant burden of seeing gigantic billboards plastered with the grinning mug of NC Senator Fred Smith, a proud "conservative" who makes a living slopping at the public trough for highway contracts.

And of course you won't be surprised to see on his website that one of his big issues is ... you guessed it ... building more highways! If only the mean old liberal Democrats would get out of the way and let his company pave over the rest of the durn state, all would be well and good. (You really have to read where Fredly whines about "liberal Democrats" three times in two short paragraphs. It's a hoot.)

But the very latest addition to the senator's over-engineered site is a high-flying slam at the vaunted profession of his most likely gubernatorial opponent, Mr. Bill Graham, the ambulance-chasing government-hater from Salisbury.

The N&O is reporting that State Treasurer Richard Moore is beginning to assemble a team to make a run for governor. It is also looking more and more like AG Roy Cooper will be running as well. I do not envision any other Democratic contenders except for possibly Lt. Governor Perdue, although it is three years away. I will be putting up bios of Cooper and Moore soon to start getting the early picking started.

Update: Perdue is apparently running. Thanks to James for noting that in the comments. I apologize for being so ignorant as to that fact. Looks like the field is already taking shape three years out.