Both Democratic candidates are part of Easley's executive branch.
The three announced Republican candidates say Easley, who is barred by law from seeking a third consecutive term,
failed on several fronts during his eight years as governor, from signing bloated budgets to failing to lower
the state's high school dropout rate.
"Probably the single greatest failure has been a lack of vision," said Bob Orr, a former Supreme Court justice,
who wants Easley's job . . . .