If you're trying to raise money for your re-election, having the state's wealthiest man in your corner can't hurt.
Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton will be hosted by SAS founder Jim Goodnight at the software tycoon's The Umstead Hotel in Cary on Wednesday. Dalton's campaign has released a long list of big-name Democrats who have already pledged $1,000 to $4,000 to attend.
Goodnight is a registered Republican, but he and his wife, Ann, have contributed to politicians of both parties over the years. Goodnight is a perennial member of the Forbes list of the world's richest people. (See the list of contributors online at dome.newsobserver.com .)
Troxler: I didn't know of tip
N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler defends his agency's top poultry expert and denied knowing about her call to the veterinarian of a company under criminal investigation.
Dr. Sarah Jean Mason, the director of animal health programs in the agriculture department's poultry division, tipped Butterball officials about a planned raid at its turkey facility in Hoke County last month, thwarting an investigation after undercover footage showed animal abuse.
In an interview Thursday, Troxler said he couldn't say too much because of the pending criminal investigation and his agency's personnel inquiry.
"This is about loose lips and I'm not going to be a part of that," he said. But he made clear he didn't know about Mason's call and rejected suggestions about problems at the agency made by Progress N.C., a liberal advocacy group.
Hagan will cross the line
Democratic U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan said she will cross the aisle and sit with Republican Sen. John McCain at next week's State of the Union address. This is part of an effort to have members of different parties sit together during the speech to symbolize an effort to work together.
"I remain committed to overcoming the destructive partisan bickering that prevented progress on a host of important issues for the American people," Hagan said.
Romney bandwagon grows
GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney has announced several new North Carolina supporters. Those include state Sen. Tommy Tucker, former state Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr, Rep. Bill Current, Rep. Tim Moore, Rep. Danny McComas, Rep. Jimmy Dixon, Rep. Pat McElraft, former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot, former Charlotte mayoral candidate Scott Stone and former Wake Commissioner Kenn Gardner.
"North Carolinians are sick and tired of Washington's reckless spending," Tucker said in a statement. "Mitt Romney spent his life as a conservative businessman. He knows that, in the real economy, you simply cannot keep spending more than you take in."
Romney had previously been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Richard Burr of Winston-Salem, former U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, and U.S. Reps. Howard Coble, Virginia Foxx and Patrick McHenry.
