Democratic nominee Beverly Perdue talks of government in terms of how it can improve the lives of North Carolinians. Republican nominee Pat McCrory says it is broken and needs an overhaul.

Perdue, the lieutenant governor, defeated state Treasurer Richard Moore by a healthy margin with a largely positive campaign that promised better education, increased health care coverage and higher wages.

"I actually think that the real difference was the decision we made to stay focused on the issues that mattered to voters," Perdue said in an interview.

"Everywhere I went, people talked about the economy, concerns with health care, and affordable college, the price of gas."

McCrory touted his experience as mayor of the state's largest city as the antidote to what's wrong with the Democrat-controlled state government.

McCrory said he wants a series of debates with Perdue.

"We need to debate the culture of the old status quo of the old politics of North Carolina," McCrory said. "I plan to bring a new culture, a culture of vision, a culture of problem-solving, a culture of strategic thinking, a culture that understands that quality of life is our No. 1 goal in North Carolina."