JAMESTOWN, N.C. -- Seven-term Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory returned to his hometown Tuesday to officially enter the race for North Carolina governor.

Surrounded by his wife, Ann, family, friends and hundreds of supporters including Former North Carolina Republican Gov. James Holshouser, Jr. and Jamestown Mayor Keith Volz, McCrory confirmed his intention to run at an early afternoon press conference held at his former elementary school, which is now the Jamestown Library.

"Jamestown is where I learned my basic set of small town and family values," said McCrory. "From Jamestown, I moved to beautiful Salisbury to attend Catawba College and obtained my teaching certificate.

“From Salisbury, I moved to Charlotte, where the citizens gave me an opportunity to become a leader. It is these values, education and leadership skills that I will take with me to the state capitol."

McCrory, 51, has served as Mayor of Charlotte for the past 12 years. In a 20-minute speech, he highlighted his leadership, major successes and vision for North Carolina.

"From transportation and education to the environment and public safety, the issues I've been tackling for more than a decade are important to all of North Carolina," said McCrory. "I am confident my vision for a better quality of life for all nine million plus North Carolinians will resonate with voters living in urban, suburban and rural areas throughout the state."

McCrory said his campaign platform will focus on three key areas: Education and jobs, better transportation for increased mobility, and security and safety.

"What differentiates Pat from his opponents are leadership and very tangible results," said Holshouser, who has endorsed McCrory. "If he can do for the state what he's done for Charlotte, residents of North Carolina will all enjoy a better quality of life."

During his remarks, McCrory said he will continue to serve as Charlotte mayor while he campaigns for governor, but after almost 30 years with Duke Energy, he will resign his position as an economic development consultant to focus on the campaign.

McCrory’s announcement brings the number of Republicans in the race to four. He joins Salisbury lawyer Bill Graham, former Supreme Court justice Bob Orr and state Sen. Fred Smith.

State treasurer Richard Moore and Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue are currently running on the Democratic side.

McCrory find support in his hometown

By: Bob Costner

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory returned to the town where he grew up Tuesday to announce he's running for governor.

At Rob's Barber Shop, most of the talk recently has been about the presidential race, but there has been a little talk about McCrory. Owner Rob Lesley thinks being a hometown candidate will help

"If he runs a Republican ticket, I'll vote for him. It's just that simple," said Harold Powell, who was getting a haircut Tuesday.

The news leaked out last week that McCrory was set to make an announcement at the public library in Jamestown that used to be the elementary school McCrory attended.

"The analogy I used in my column is this is the biggest thing since the gold truck came through Mayberry," said Jamestown News editor David "Ogi" Overman. "The town is really buzzing."

The Jamestown News put out a special edition. Overman has a theory about why the announcement was made in McCrory's hometown.

"To try to solidify his exposure in the Triad because he needs the metropolitan areas," said Overman, and there was already some hometown support.

"He's a very bright fella and he has a good heart," said Julia Smith, who went to Ragsdale High School with McCrory. "I think he's a good person to have running our state."

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• 12/26/2007 Race for NC governor to heat up
  
• 12/24/2007 McCrory in no hurry to enter race
  
• 12/13/2007 McCrory likely to run for governor
  
• 12/6/2007 Poll: McCrory not favored in Gov. race
  
• 5/23/2007 Run for governor not out for McCrory