ABC11 Eyewitness News' Gubernatorial Debate

  

Democrat Beverly Perdue and Republican Pat McCrorydiscussed their plans for North Carolina during the debate.

On Tuesday, North Carolina's two major party candidates for governor participated in their first live television debate on WTVD ABC 11.

McCrory, who is the mayor of Charlotte, said in his opening statement the state needs to fix its crumbling roads, address a growing gang problem and root out government corruption.

Perdue, the lieutenant governor, said she's focused on improving the state's education system which, in turn, will bolster the state's economy.

The candidates last debated June 21 at the North Carolina Bar Association's annual meeting.

Read about the gubernatorial candidates' background.

Republican candidate:

Pat McCrory is in his seventh term as the Mayor of Charlotte.

He grew-up in Jamestown outside High Point.

He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Catawba College. After college, he went to work for Duke Power.

McCrory was first elected to the Charlotte City Council in 1989 and was re-elected in 1991 and 1993.

He was first elected mayor in 1995 and has served longer than any other Charlotte mayor.

Democratic candidate:

Bev Perdue is in her second term as Lieutenant Governor.

She grew up in southwest Virginia and has lived most of her adult life in New Bern.

She received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky and a Master's degree in Education and a PhD in Administration from the University of Florida.

Perdue worked in both education and health care before being elected to the North Carolina House of Representative in 1986.

She was re-elected in 1988 and in 1990. Perdue was elected to the state senate where she served until her election as Lieutenant Governor in 2000.

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