Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):

In November 2007, Mayor McCrory became the first seven-term Mayor in the history of the City of Charlotte, continuing his record as the City's longest-serving Mayor.

Mayor McCrory began his political career in Charlotte in 1989 when he was elected as an At-Large City Council representative in his first run for an elected office.  He was reelected in both 1991 and 1993, serving as Mayor Pro Tem in 1993 until first elected Mayor in 1995.

Mayor McCrory has distinguished himself as a leader in the areas of immigration, public safety, economic development, and transportation.  He has been recognized nationally for his leadership in developing Charlotte's 25-year transportation and land use plan, including his efforts to secure $200 million in federal funds for light rail in Charlotte. Also, $2 billion in local and state road improvements have been made throughout the City over the past decade.

During Pat McCrory's term as Mayor, the City population has grown by 20%, 200,000 jobs have been created, and he led the effort to recruit such companies as TIAA-CREF, General Dynamics Armament, The Westin Hotel, and Johnson & Wales Culinary School. In 2005, Money Magazine listed Charlotte in its Top 3 Best Places to Live and Reader's Digest named it one of the 20 Cleanest Cities in America.    

The Mayor founded the Mayor's Mentoring Alliance in 1995 and has personally served as a Mentor to two youth.  In 2008, Charlotte was named a "100 Best Communities for Youth" by America's Promise for the third year in a row. 

Candidate Statement:

Our current state government is inaccessible, invisible, secret, at times corrupt, and run by a small power elite that ignores many parts of the state.  I am running to change this culture of arrogance and corruption in state government.

In addition, I am running for governor to help recruit jobs to North Carolina and retain the ones already here.  Our state government leaders have not created an environment for businesses to grow.  Jobs are leaving the state and North Carolina families are feeling the impact.  As governor, I will lead the state in a positive new direction and make sure that North Carolina is a competitive marketplace. 

While people are worried about their jobs and economic security, the price of gas is jeopardizing the ability of many North Carolinians to provide for their families. We can continue to spend billions of dollars a day on an unstable energy policy or we can end our dependence on foreign sources by encouraging conservation, investing in alternative energy technologies and tapping into American sources of energy by drilling off our coast.  As governor, I will enact a ten-point comprehensive conservation and energy plan that lowers demand through increased conservation and efficiency while also increasing supply.

I am also running for governor to change the culture in Raleigh that considers a 30 percent dropout rate acceptable. We need new leadership and a bold new plan for our schools because the status quo is not working. We need to challenge and inspire our students to stay in school by providing them courses that hold their interest.  And we must provide an education that trains today's students for tomorrow's workforce. 

These are just a few of many reasons why I'm running for governor.  For more information, visit www.patmccrory.com.