Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

 

 

He’s been talking like a candidate. He’s been acting like a candidate. And he’s been treated by the media like a candidate. And now, Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper IS a candidate for governor. You’ll hear how it sounded when he make his announcement in Nash County to family, friends, and Democratic Party supporters. Host Donna Martinez assesses the Cooper candidacy with Democratic political consultant Thomas Mills, who says Democrats will have no problem finding things to criticize about the administration of current Gov. Pat McCrory. While Cooper snagged the media attention this week, another Democrat says he, not Cooper, is the best representative of the people. Former state legislator Ken Spaulding calls Cooper the hand-picked candidate of the Democratic Party establishment. He talks to Martinez about why he’s running and what he thinks is wrong with the current path of the state. The man both Cooper and Spaulding hope to unseat was busy this week talking about improvements to the Department of Motor Vehicles and the bond referendum he hopes voters will approve in March. You’ll hear Gov. McCrory in an interview with Brian Freeman of News Radio 680 WPTF in Raleigh. That’s followed by a look at a surprising announcement by state Treasurer Janet Cowell, who announced this week that she won’t seek re-election to the statewide elected office. Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson talks with Martinez about the people who are already being discussed as possible candidates for the seat that will be open territory for both sides of the aisle. The two also discuss news that former Wake County Democratic legislator Deborah Ross will seek her party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican Sen. Richard Burr. She joins Spring Lake Mayor Chris Rey in the race. And finally, Henderson details several of the state legislators who have announced they are bowing out of the General Assembly, including veteran Johnston County Republican Leo Daughtry.