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With Perdue and Moore running for governor, their current posts are hotly contested.

Four Democrats and two Republicans are vying for lieutenant governor, while two Democrats and two Republicans are running for state treasurer.

State Auditor Les Merritt, a Republican, faces a Democratic challenge from a former employee, Beth Wood.

5. ARE DEMOCRATS IN DANGER OF LOSING CONTROL OF THE STATE HOUSE OR SENATE?

Democrats have a 68-52 edge over Republicans in the House and a 31-19 edge in the Senate, making it difficult for the GOP to gain control of either chamber.

Republicans are trying to play the scandal card, but Democrats gained seats in both chambers in the 2006 election despite scandals that put former House Speaker Jim Black, former Rep. Michael Decker and former state Sen. Frank Ballance in federal prison on public corruption charges. Rep. Thomas Wright, a Wilmington Democrat, is now the subject of a corruption case and could be cast out of the state House.

6. CAN DEMOCRATS WREST CONTROL OF THE WAKE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FROM REPUBLICANS?

The GOP has a 4-3 advantage. If Democrats can retain the seats held by Lindy Brown and Betty Lou Ward and grab the seat held by Republican Kenn Gardner, the balance would tip.

7. CAN DURHAM VOTERS LOOK FORWARD TO HEATED RACES THIS YEAR?

It would be hard to top the drama of the past two years' battles for district attorney and mayor.

But never fear.

Three of the seven seats on the school board and all five county commissioners' seats will be up for grabs. Voters can expect to see some new contenders, and -- as always -- things could get interesting in the Bull City.

8. ARE THERE ANY OTHER TRIANGLE RACES WORTH WATCHING?

Absolutely. Voters in Johnston County will seek a replacement in the state Senate for Smith, who is running for governor. State Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, a Carrboro Democrat, faces a rare primary challenge in Orange County from longtime county commissioner Moses Carey Jr. after Kinnaird initially indicated she might not seek re-election. Two of the five commissioner seats in Chatham County, both representing areas dealing with rapid growth, are up for grabs.

(Compiled by staff writers Benjamin Niolet, Barbara Barrett, Titan Barksdale, Ryan Teague Beckwith, Dan Kane, Dan Holly, Samiha Khanna, Marti McGuire, Samuel Spies and Leah Friedman.)

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