NORTH CAROLINA -- The road to the governor’s mansion in Raleigh for the four viable Republican candidates will narrow on May 6, when voters head to the polls and cut the field down to one.
Bill Graham, Pat McCrory, Bob Orr and Fred Smith are all looking to be the first Republican to be North Carolina’s governor since 1993.
Graham’s top issues are illegal immigration, providing affordable health care and the economy. The Salisbury resident and attorney made a name for himself when he spearheaded a petition to put a cap on the gas tax in 2007.
“I’ve been from one end of the state to the other and so we’re feeling pretty good about the campaign,” said Graham. “I’m the only one who’s actually cut taxes for every person in North Carolina by holding the gasoline tax down.”
News 14 Carolina's Shawn Flynn takes a look at the Republican gubernatorial race as the primary draws near.
State Sen. Smith’s top priorities are protecting the taxpayer, illegal immigration and education. The long-time Clayton resident is also concerned about the corruption in Raleigh.
“We feel pretty good about where we are. We think we’re leading,” said Smith of the Republican nominee race. “The best thing I could do as governor [would be] when I leave, people would say ‘Fred Smith had an administration that was open and honest and met the needs of the people of this state.’”
Education is a top priority for Orr, along with creating jobs and honest government. Despite being outspent in the race, the former state Supreme Court justice says the educated voter will support him.
“I really think we’ve got to restructure public education. I think the long-term success and health of the state is dependent upon having a well-educated work force and citizenry,” said Orr, who “[feels] comfortable that if [voters have] the information, I stand a good chance at winning.”
McCrory, mayor of Charlotte, was last to enter the race, but his campaign quickly picked up steam. Jobs and illegal immigration are high priorities for the candidate, but McCrory says crime is his top issue.
“Our message -- of dealing with jobs, dealing with crime ad gangs and illegal immigrants, dealing with education -- is resonating not only in Charlotte, but across the state,” said McCrory. “Fix the criminal justice system, because government’s number one responsibility is to protect the people.”
To win the Republican gubernatorial primary outright, one candidate must receive at least 40 percent of the vote, or the second-place candidate could request a runoff.
Click on a candidate's photo for their campaign web site: