JAMESTOWN - Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory kept silent for weeks about a campaign for North Carolina governor. On Tuesday, he confirmed he is seeking the Republican nomination and said two events over the past year inspired him.

The first was in January 2007, McCrory said, when he organized a caravan of public safety officials to Raleigh to lobby for more courts funding. Gov. Mike Easley wouldn't meet with them, and state legislators weren't as receptive to McCrory as he would have liked.

Then, in October, McCrory said, he was struck by a comment from state Rep. Beverly Earle, challenging him for re-election as mayor. In a debate, according to McCrory, Earle implied that state legislators, rather than Charlotte voters, were McCrory's bosses.

"I thought to myself, 'If I can become governor, I'm going to be a governor that reaches out to the people and sees exactly what has happened,' " McCrory said Tuesday, in a speech making his gubernatorial bid official.

"We cannot put up with this government that stays within the inner beltway of the state capital, that's tough to reach, that is having ethical issues," he added. "This is government that is not deserving of our great state of North Carolina."

McCrory's announcement ended months of speculation about his political plans and shook up the race for the Republican nomination. One rival, Fred Smith, quickly called him a "tax-and-spend liberal" who "probably ought to be in the other party," while McCrory said he stands by his record.

The mayor's campaign also unveiled two major endorsements -- those of former Govs. Jim Holshouser and Jim Martin, the only Republicans elected North Carolina governor in the past century.

"He's the kind of thinker we need in the governor's office," said Holshouser, who served from 1973 to 1977.

McCrory will start the race with $300,000 left over from his mayoral campaign, according to a letter released Tuesday by the State Board of Elections. That's half what his campaign had in October, when he started TV ads for re-election as mayor.

Wearing two hats

McCrory, 51, said he would remain mayor while he runs. Responding to critics who suggest he should step down, he said, "They're not giving that same feedback to Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue or the existing treasurer." Richard Moore and Perdue are running in the Democratic primary for governor.

He said he does plan to resign as an economic development consultant at Duke Energy because of the time a gubernatorial campaign requires. He worked at the company for 29 years, and Duke Energy spokesman Tim Pettit said the company wishes him well.

McCrory's mayoral salary is $20,037. Factor in allowances for travel and office equipment, and he receives $33,137 a year.

He said he and his wife Ann will live on savings.

In announcing his candidacy, McCrory focused on issues that have marked his record seven terms as mayor. He pledged to make state government more responsive and called for tougher anti-gang measures, reduced road congestion and increased alternatives to public schools.

McCrory promised to stay positive and said he would run an "unusual" campaign, retaining the organizer of his mayoral campaigns, Victoria Smith, as his day-to-day manager.

"We're going to be like a garage band," he said. "We're not having any high-priced consultants to tell us what to say and how to do it."

About 200 supporters stood in the cold to see McCrory speak in front of his old elementary school, which has been converted into a public library.

Fifteen television cameras taped McCrory as he spoke in front of the historic brick building on a hill above Main Street in Jamestown.

"He's a very genuine person, and he's never changed, even with his success in Charlotte," said Marty Cline, a former schoolmate.

'Welcome to the race'

McCrory's three GOP rivals began campaigning at least a year ago. They are Salisbury lawyer Bill Graham, former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr of Burnsville and Smith, a state senator from Johnston County. One poll released Friday showed McCrory already holding a slight lead, with 43 percent undecided.

"I say, 'Welcome to the race,' " Graham said.

Orr expressed concern that McCrory's entry could lead to a runoff election, which can occur when no candidate gets 40 percent.

"The two top vote-getters will continue fighting it out and spending money trying to get the nomination while the Democrat nominee will be healing the wounds and restocking the treasury," he said. "It automatically puts the Republican nominee further behind."

The primary elections are scheduled for May 6.

(Charlotte Observer staff writer Christopher Kirkpatrick contributed.)

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