Pat Mc Crory - Gubernatorial Campaigns - 2012 Gubernatorial Race

2012 Gubernatorial Race

McCrory stated his positions on the economy and education in two white papers.

The paper describing his economic plan was titled, “The North Carolina Comeback” posted to his campaign website. In it he described seven areas he said he would reform to improve the state’s economy. Proposals in the paper included consolidating redundant commissions, reforming the state’s tax code by cutting personal and corporate income tax rates, supporting energy exploration and fostering existing industries like agriculture and defense.

The other position paper outlined his education reform plan. “A Passion for Education”, included four areas for reform. First he proposed expanding school choice by creating two high school diploma tracks, expanding technology in the classroom through virtual courses and hand-held technology. He would also stop social promotion of third grade students who could not pass a reading test. His third proposal would pay teachers for results and not seniority. Finally he would create a grading system for schools, so parents can easily judge the quality of their child’s school.

Polling

A Public Policy Polling poll released August 8 showed McCrory leading Walter Dalton by seven points. A Rasmussen poll released August 4 showed McCrory maintaining a 10 point lead over his Democratic challenger Walter Dalton.

The Raleigh News & Observer reported McCrory will report adding $2.2 million in the second quarter totaling $4.4 million available for campaign spending with 98 percent of the donors from North Carolina. The North Carolina Board of Elections requires second quarter campaign finance reports be filed by July 11, 2012. In the first quarter campaign finance reports McCrory showed his campaign added at least $1 million more to its bottom line than Dalton's campaign. In the first quarter McCrory reported outraising Dalton by more than $1 million. He also reported raising nearly $3 million more than Dalton for the election cycle to date. McCrory reported having $3.1 million cash on hand, and Dalton reported $670,356.14.

McCrory announced his candidacy for governor on January 31, 2012. On April 27, 2012 five of McCrory’s contributors from his 2008 campaign were referred to the Mecklenburg County District Attorney for violations of campaign finance laws, possibly for improper “bundling” of contributions. On May 8, 2012 he won the Republican primary election with 83% of the vote, receiving more than 740,000 votes.