? Speaking at the county commissioners’ convention in New Bern, Beverly Perdue criticizes state mandates on counties and stresses her opposition to labor union attempts to acquire collective bargaining for state or local employees. At the same event, Pat McCrory attacks the “culture of corruption? in Raleigh, restates his support for offshore drilling, and explains his opposition to free community-college tuition.

? Elizabeth Dole also talks local issues, during an appearance in Washington, NC in which she promises to help improve the state’s roads and bridges. Bob Dole was also Down East campaigning. He stresses his wife’s work ethic. Sen. John Ensign announces that the GOP has fallen short in fundraising for Senate campaigns, including Dole’s.