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RALEIGH (AP) — Republican Pat McCrory confirmed today what's been the least-disguised decision in North Carolina politics for months — the former Charlotte mayor is running for governor again.

In an interview with The Associated Press, the GOP's 2008 gubernatorial nominee said he's "100 percent committed" to seek the Republican nomination in May. McCrory lost to Democrat Beverly Perdue in 2008 in the closest general election for the job in 36 years. A rematch seems to be the most likely outcome in 2012.

McCrory said this fall he'd say something about his plans early next week and confirmed Monday that an official announcement would still be forthcoming. Details haven't been squared away. But McCrory said he wanted to make clear his intentions.

"I am convinced that now is the time to run for governor and bring the changes to a broken government and hopefully generate an environment that allows our economy to grow in North Carolina," McCrory said, adding "I just think it's important for me before the holiday season to let (the public) know I'm 100 percent committed to this effort."

There was little doubt, however, that McCrory was going to enter the race. The 55-year-old McCrory, a record seven-term mayor of Charlotte, began speaking at local Republican and tea party-style events within months of losing to Perdue by 3 percentage points.

He's also been slowly assembling a campaign team and raising money with assistance this fall from Govs. Chris Christie of New Jersey and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana. McCrory's political committee was competitive with Perdue's campaign on fundraising through the first half of 2011. Perdue has been struggling throughout her three years in office to overcome a poor national economy and uncertain state government fiscal picture.

McCrory, who works at his brother's consulting company and a Charlotte law firm, said Monday he'd give more details at his official announcement about why he should get a second chance to move to the Executive Mansion but pointed to his personal and government experiences and leadership skills.

"We'll make clear distinctions between me and any candidate running against me," McCrory said.

Perdue and her cranked-up campaign staff has said she's definitely running, dismissing predictions by a state House member that she ultimately won't register as a candidate during the filing period set to begin in mid-February.

Four people — including two former campaign workers — have been indicted this year as a result of an investigation into dozens of campaign flights leading to the 2008 election that weren't immediately accounted for in Perdue campaign finance reports. A judge sentenced Perdue's former campaign finance director to unsupervised probation and a fine last week.

The State Board of Elections is supposed to consider Thursday two campaign finance complaints filed in 2010 by the former state Democratic Party executive director against McCrory's 2008 campaign. McCrory declined to comment about the cases Monday because they are ongoing, but his campaign consultant predicted earlier this month the board wouldn't find anything improper.