But the Republican race is still so divided that it may be difficult to avoid a second primary.

Eight candidates -- three Democrats, five Republicans -- are running this year to succeed Gov. Mike Easley, whose second four-year term expires this year and is ineligible to seek re-election.

The Democratic race has been a two-horse race between Perdue, the state's first female lieutenant governor, and Richard Moore, the state treasurer since 2001. Perdue has been the frontrunner for months.

A poll conducted this weekend by Public Policy Polling of Raleigh found that Perdue is the favorite of 47 percent of likely Democratic primary voters. Moore had 33 percent while Dennis Nielsen, a political novice from Nashville, had 4 percent.

The poll's margin of error is less than 3 percent.

Perdue's decision to drop negative campaign ads may have widened her lead over Moore, the poll shows.

Meanwhile, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory leads the Republican field but not by enough of a margin to win the May 6 primary outright.

Bob Orr, Bill Graham and Elbie Powers had the support of 7 percent, 5 percent and 1 percent, respectively.

The margin of error in this poll was 4 percent.

To avoid a runoff, a candidate must capture at least 40 percent of the vote. If a runoff is needed, the date would be Tuesday, June 24.

mshaw@wilsontimes.com | 265-7878

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North Carolina Governor Candidates:

DEMOCRATS

RICHARD MOORE

Born: Aug. 30, 1960

Hometown: Kitrell

Political background: State treasurer since 2000; Secretary, N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, 1995-1999; state legislator, 1992-94

Other background: Former corporate lawyer, later a federal prosecutor

Family: Wife, Noel; three children

Web site: www.richardmoore.org

DENNIS NIELSEN

Hometown: Nashville

Political background: Ran unsuccessfully for N.C. Senate in 2004 and N.C. House in 2006

Other background: A retired Air Force colonel

Family: Wife, Linda; two adult daughters

Web site: www.votenielsen.com

BEV PERDUE

Born: Jan. 14, 1947

Hometown: Chapel Hill

Political background: Lieutenant governor, 2001-present; N.C. Senate, 1991-2001; N.C. House, 1986-1991

Other background: A former school teacher and health care consultant.

Family: Husband, Bob Eaves; two sons

Web site: www.bevperdue.com

REPUBLICANS

BILL GRAHAM

Born: Nov. 25, 1960

Hometown: Salisbury

Political background: First run for office; founder of N.C. Conservatives United, an anti-gasoline tax group.

Other background: A lawyer who has become wealthy through lawsuits, partially by representing people injured by asbestos.

Family: Wife, Shari; two children

Web site: www.graham2008.com

PAT MCCRORY

Born: Oct. 17, 1956

Hometown: Charlotte

Political background: Seven-term mayor of Charlotte; formerly a three-term council member.

Other background: He has worked for Duke Energy since 1978 and is now a senior adviser with its economic development group.

Family: Wife, Ann

Web site: www.patmccrory.com

BOB ORR

Born: Oct. 11, 1946

Hometown: Burnsville

Political background: N.C. Court of Appeals, 1986-1994; N.C. Supreme Court, 1994-2004

Other background: He left the state's highest court in 2004 to head the N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law.

Family: Wife, Louise; four children

Web site: www.orr2008.com

ELBIE POWERS

Born: July 2, 1951

Hometown: Franklin

Political background: This is his first run for office.

Other background: He owns a farm in Sampson County.

Family: Wife, Becky

Web site: www.elpowers.com

FRED SMITH

Born: March 27, 1942

Hometown: Clayton

Political background: N.C. Senate, 2003-present; Johnston County commissioner, 2001-2003

Other background: He owns a development company that builds subdivisions. He also is CEO of a road-building firm.

Family: Wife, Ginny; five children

Web site: www.2008.joinfred.com

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THE WILSON DAILY TIMES is running special coverage this week of the races on the May 6 ballots. The schedule is:

Saturday: Presidential candidates

Monday: Congressional races

Today: Governor

Wednesday: Lieutenant Governor

Thursday: Statewide races

Friday: Judicial primaries

Saturday, May 1: Sales-tax referendums

To see past stories on the May 6 primary go to wilsontimes.com.