In a state that typically elects Democratic governors, Republican candidate Pat McCrory is in an interesting position this year as a potential winner.
Polls between McCrory and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bev Perdue have remained close throughout the election cycle, though Perdue has stayed slightly ahead in pollster.com’s composite polls. Its latest poll has Perdue ahead 46.9 percent to McCrory’s 45.1 percent.
In a harsh political climate for Republicans nationwide, Aaron Dancy, freshman in chemical engineering and vice-chair of Students for McCain, said McCrory has the advantage of running against the reigning party.
“People have known that the Democrats have been in power [in North Carolina],” he said. “There’s been a culture of corruption in Raleigh and Bev Perdue is a part of that.”
As the economic downturn has made this a “change” election, Dancy said McCrory would provide change from the current state government.
“They’re sick of what’s been going on, and they want somebody to change that,” Dancy said. “The traditional Democrats need a whipping boy. It’s time for them to get out.”
Bobby Mills, a senior in political science, works for Perdue’s campaign and said a big turnout for Obama could benefit Perdue.
“We expect a large Democratic turnout, and hopefully the Independents and Republicans will vote for Bev Perdue,” Mills said. “She ran a hard and fair campaign, and, hopefully, the voters will see that.”
McCrory and Perdue, who is the state’s present lieutenant governor, have different bases in the state that could aid them in a win, and Dancy said McCrory’s Democratic support in Charlotte is reflective of his broad appeal.
McCrory has been the mayor of Charlotte for 13 years, and he has the advantage of Charlotte’s wide media market, he said. But McCrory has had to try to cross over to eastern North Carolina voters.
“His challenge is to try to reach out to the eastern part where Bev Perdue had the upper hand,” Dancy said.
Republicans hope his success in Charlotte will lead to success across the state, he said.
“The urban voters will lead toward McCrory, they’ll see what he’s done to Charlotte,” Dancy said.
Chris Ellis, an assistant professor of political science, said the “change” election has made this an odd season for North Carolina.
Just as people are dissatisfied with the Republican Bush administration, that dissatisfaction can spill over to the Democratic state government, he said, and Perdue has some issues of her own.
“Perdue has not run the most effective campaign,” he said.
It would be “quite a scene” if McCrory were to win in an environment heavily favoring Democrats across the country, Ellis said.
While McCrory has appeal in Charlotte, Mills said Perdue’s campaign has had strongholds in the eastern part of the state and have tried to break into the Piedmont.
And while many voters will follow Democrats down-ticket, Mills said a lot of voters will also research the gubernatorial and senatorial candidates’ positions.
“The lower down the ballot, the more immediate impact they can have in your daily life,” he said.
Mills said his support of Perdue comes from her strong positions.
“I’ve seen her commitment to North Carolina, and to education specifically,” he said.
Gubernatorial race remains tight
