Moore: "We need a fresh approach."

OXFORD — Richard Moore, a two-term state treasurer and former secretary of crime control, announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for governor today.

Moore, 46, made the announcement in a courtyard at his high school in Oxford, where several hundred campaign volunteers and family friends were treated to barbecue and live bluegrass.

In a 20-minute speech, he cited small-town values, pledging to bring a "common sense" approach to state government. He noted that his father hated to throw anything away, making him learn to rebuild a lawnmower when he was young.

"I've worked to take that fix-it mentality and apply it to government," he said. "Because we need a fresh approach rooted in our best traditions to face the challenges of tomorrow, I'm here to declare my candidacy for governor of the great state of North Carolina."

Moore's major campaign pledge was to expand access to health care to every North Carolinian. He said that emergency room visits by the uninsured and inadequate insurance for the working poor were a drag on the state's economy.

"You can't have a strong economy without affordable health care," he said.

Moore enters the race with several advantages.

He has $2.6 million in his campaign coffers, has won a statewide office twice and gained national attention for calling for corporate accountability during a year-long stint on the New York Stock Exchange.

Moore will compete against t Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue for the Democratic nomination. On the Republican side, Salisbury attorney Bill Graham, former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr and state Sen. Fred Smith are running for governor.