Democrat and current Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton will face Republican Pat McCrory in the race for North Carolina governor this fall.
McCrory took 83.45 percent of the Republican votes; his closest challenger was Paul Wright, who took a mere 5.27 percent of the votes. Dalton, on the other hand, had a closer battle against Bob Etheridge: Just 72,809 votes separated the two, with Dalton getting about 46 percent of the vote and McCrory 38 percent.
After the results were in, Dalton released this statement:
“Tonight, North Carolinians have sent a clear message: the election is about the future of North Carolina. Times are tough, but together we can build a modern economy by investing in innovative, effective schools and aligning educational opportunity with the jobs of the future. I want a better future for all of us. And as we begin this journey together, I will be true to our roots——roots in education, creativity, and innovation, and we will use those tools to create great schools and grow jobs now and for the future. And North Carolina’s greatest strength, its people, will be able to achieve their greatest dreams.
“I’d like to thank my opponents in this primary for adding to the spirited debate as well as the thousands of people across North Carolina who are supporting my campaign. Now, we need to come together, regardless of political persuasion, to move North Carolina forward and make North Carolina a leader in the 21st century.”
North Carolina GOP Chairman Robin Hayes said this of McCrory’s win:
“Pat has a plan to get North Carolina working again. He understands that we need true educational reform so that we can train a new generation of North Carolinians to join the workforce. He believes in the people of our great state, and he will create an environment for them to prosper. I look forward to working hard over the coming months to elect Pat McCrory as the next Governor of North Carolina.”
In other state races:
For the Democrats, in races with more than one candidate, Linda Coleman advances to November in her bid for North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture; John Brooks for Commissioner of Labor; and Janet Cowell for state treasurer.
On the Republican side, Dan Forest will vie for Lt. Governor; Debra Goldman for state auditor; Steve Troxler for Commissioner of Agriculture; Richard Morgan for Commissioner of Insurance; Ed Goodwin for Secretary of State; John Tedesco for Superintendent of Public Instruction; and Frank Roche for State Treasurer.
For more state results, go to the North Carolina Board of Elections website here.
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