The candidates clockwise from top left: Pat McCrory, Beverly Perdue, Kay Hagan and Elizabeth Dole.
NORTH CAROLINA -- The major candidates for North Carolina governor and U.S. Senate squared off for the first time Saturday at a forum held by the North Carolina Bar Association in Atlantic Beach.
All four candidates made a clear effort to separate themselves from their opponents, while state Sen. Kay Hagan (D) focused on tying U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R) to President Bush and Washington.
“North Carolina families are so frustrated because special interests and lobbyists have too much control and the working families have lost their voice in Washington,” Hagan said.
Countered Dole, “Always my roots, my family and my heart have been in North Carolina.”
The forum focused on gas prices and the war in Iraq – but the illegal immigration topic created the most fireworks between the candidates.
“This is another example where Washington is broken,” said Hagan. “Senator Dole has been in Washington for over 40 years. This problem has been there for a very long time.”
Argued Dole, “My opponent has voted to make it easier for illegal immigrants to get North Carolina drivers licenses. She has a record of turning a blind eye to immigration enforcement.”
The candidates for governor were less feisty in their first meeting, with current Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue (D) focusing most of her time on education. “As governor, my top priority will be to ensure that every child goes to a great public school,” she stated.
Said Charlotte mayor and Republican gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory, “I want to connect the labor needs with our educational needs, and that will be my strategy as governor.”
McCrory focused his attention on the criminal justice issue. “I see this as I travel throughout the state. In Rocky Mount, North Carolina there are gas stations right now with metal bars. You know that’s not a good sign we’re living in a safe state.”
Said Perdue, “As governor I'm going to get tough on criminals and I'm going to send a message -- whether you're a gang member or a criminal leader in the adult system -- that in this state the three strikes you're out law means business.”
Currently this is the only scheduled meeting between the Senate candidates. The gubernatorial candidates have at least four more scheduled between this weekend and the November election.