Martin endorses two for governor

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

1

Charlotte.com says that former N.C. Gov. Jim Martin has endorsed two candidates for governor, including WNC’s Bob Orr:

RALEIGH – Former Gov. Jim Martin is endorsing Pat McCrory in the Republican primary for N.C. governor. But he’s also endorsing one of McCrory’s competitors.

Martin, a Republican who served as governor from 1985 to 1993, said Friday that he is endorsing both McCrory, Charlotte’s seven-term mayor, and former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr, whom Martin appointed to a judgeship in 1986.

“They’re both long-term friends,” Martin told the Observer.

He acknowledged the unusual situation of endorsing two candidates in the four-person contest, but he said he had no choice. He encouraged McCrory to run a couple of years ago. When McCrory didn’t appear interested, Martin gave $1,000 to Orr’s campaign in May 2007. McCrory entered the race Tuesday.

…

Martin, who once chaired the Mecklenburg commissioners and is now an executive with Carolinas Medical Center, said Orr had a key role in his 1984 election as governor. Orr, who had a law practice in Asheville, drove Martin around western North Carolina. Martin and McCrory know each other through civic work in Charlotte.