RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- North Carolina Democrats are ready to decide on a potential successor to Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue and likely fall rival to Republican Pat McCrory.
Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton and former U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge led the slate of six candidates seeking the Democratic nomination in Tuesday's primary in terms of raising the most outside money. State Rep. Bill Faison participated in televised debates with Etheridge and Dalton.
Bruce Blackmon, Gary Dunn and Gardenia Henley also were running for the nomination. A runoff could be held if no candidate wins more than 40 percent of the vote.
McCrory had his own primary Tuesday against five other GOP candidates but was expected to win comfortably.
Libertarian Barbara Howe is already in the general election.
Perdue announced in January she wasn't seeking re-election.