. . . McCrory picked up the support of three of his Republican primary opponents -- state Sen. Fred Smith, former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr and Salisbury lawyer Bill Graham.

Smith and Orr appeared at a news conference with McCrory, as did former Gov. Jim Holshouser, also a Republican.

McCrory said his support would reach beyond party lines in a state where Democrats have held the governor's office for much of the past century.

"Independent voters and a lot of Democrats believe in true leadership," he said. "I am proud to announce that North Carolina is once again a two-party state . . ."

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