Etheridge Throws Hat In Ring For Governor

RALEIGH - Erskine Bowles may be out, but another prominent Democrat has thrown his hat in the ring for North Carolina Governor: former Congressman Bob Etheridge of Harnett County.

 

A moderate Democrat, Etheridge served seven terms in Congress before losing narrowly to Republican Renee Elmers in 2010, following the release of a video showing him in an altercation with a student. After he left Congress, Governor Beverly Perdue appointed him to lead the North Carolina Office of Economic Recovery and Investment.

 

Etheridge announced his run shortly after former UNC system president Bowles announced his decision not to seek the office; previously, Etheridge had told reporters he was waiting to see what Bowles decided to do.

 

Etheridge joins State Senator Bill Faison of Orange County and Lt. Governor Walter Dalton as the third declared candidate for the Democratic nomination. So far, the only Republican in the race is former Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory.