Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue is poised to win the Democratic nomination for governor next Tuesday, a new poll shows.
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.
The latest poll says 36 percent of likely Republican voters favor McCrory, followed by 29 percent for N.C. Sen. Fred Smith.
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.