Powers that be

The architects of North Carolina's state government decided, in their wisdom, that various powers within the executive branch should be split eight ways from Sunday. What that means in practice is that the heads of several agencies who make up the Council of State are independently elected, answerable not to the governor but directly to the voters. These are key regulatory and enforcement posts; fortunately, public campaign financing is being field-tested this year in three of the contests. The N&O's editorial endorsements take into account such factors as experience, priorities and leadership ability. Terms are for four years.

Attorney General

ROY COOPER First elected in 2000, Cooper easily won a second term four years ago and now is among the presumptive Democratic candidates for higher office. But this year the 51-year-old Rocky Mount native has played his cards cautiously, opting to seek a third term as the state government's top law enforcement official and legal adviser. He has worked to bolster the state's crime-fighting resources, shield consumers from ripoffs and protect the state's air quality.

The Republican candidate is Bob Crumley, 51, of Asheboro, who heads a law firm with several offices in the region. He echoes Cooper in saying the state needs the power to convene investigative grand juries to fight official corruption. He also makes a good point in calling for more openness within the Department of Justice to further public accountability. Cooper should take the hint, but he remains a good choice for voters.

FIND OUT MORE: Visit Cooper's Web site at roycooper.com.

HIS OPPONENT: Find out about Crumley at bobcrumley.com.

State Auditor

LES MERRITT The Republican incumbent, 51, is a C.P.A. from Zebulon who was elected in 2004 on his second try. His office has been active in generating the kind of audits that ferret out waste and inefficiency in state agencies. He also has successfully pushed for more robust auditing capacity at the agencies themselves.

In Merritt's view, he provides an important check in a state government run by Demo-crats. But his Democratic opponent, Beth Wood, accuses him of excessive partisanship. While she cites a couple of instances where that charge might ring true, on the whole Merritt simply appears to be doing his job, even if Democratic feathers are ruffled. Wood, 54, a C.P.A. who formerly was in charge of training within the State Auditor's Office, appears qualified for the top job, but Merritt does not need to be replaced.

FIND OUT MORE: Visit Merritt's Web site at auditormerritt.com.

HIS OPPONENT: Find out more about Wood at bethwoodcampaign.com.

Commissioner of Agriculture

STEVE TROXLER North Carolina's farm sector remains a vital part of its economy, but not one whose success can be taken for granted. It falls to the state Department of Agriculture, headed for the last four years by the Republican Troxler, to help farmers get a decent return through aggressive marketing of their products. Troxler, 56, who owns a farm in Guilford County, has made farmland preservation a priority -- a wise choice in a state facing rapid suburban growth. He also has pushed his department's involvement in food safety efforts.

Democrat Ronnie Ansley, a Raleigh lawyer with a degree in agricultural education, has run for three other significant posts since 2000. His attempt to dislodge Troxler should also be rejected.

FIND OUT MORE: Visit Troxler's Web site at stevetroxler.com.

HIS OPPONENT: Find out more about Ansley at ansley4ag.com.

Commissioner of Insurance