News-Record.com

RALEIGH (AP) — State Treasurer Richard Moore officially endorsed Beverly Perdue for governor today, two months after their expensive and acrimonious Democratic primary campaign in which Moore questioned her commitment to party principles.

In an e-mail sent to supporters Wednesday, Moore urged them to support the lieutenant governor in her bid to win the state's top job in the November election against Republican nominee Pat McCrory.

Perdue defeated Moore in the May 6 primary with 56 percent of the vote to Moore's 40 percent.

"Bev Perdue and I had a tough, spirited primary campaign," Moore wrote. "And while the outcome was not what we had hoped for, one thing is clear: the differences between BevPerdue and me pale in comparison to our differences with Pat McCrory."

Moore didn't immediately back Perdue after their campaign, in which he attempted to raise questions about her record on gun control and abortion. The treasurer took heat from other party leaders for commercials questioning Perdue's civil rights record.

But Moore's e-mail focused on the things that he says they agree on, including world-class public schools, energy policy and "economic opportunity for all North Carolina families." He said it was important this election year to have a "unified Democratic Party" backing Perdue for governor.

"She'll continue to stand up for North Carolina's families and to make sure they have a voice in Raleigh," wrote Moore, adding that his supporters should consider giving to her campaign.

McCrory received the endorsement of his three chief rivals in the GOP primary — state Sen. Fred Smith, former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr and Salisbury attorney Bill Graham — the day after he won the race with 46 percent of the vote.