![Republican gubernatorial candidate Patrick Ballantine thanks his opponents during a "Unity" press conference at state Republican headquarters in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, July 26, 2004. Ballantine's run against sitting Gov. Mike Easley started Republican gubernatorial candidate Patrick Ballantine thanks his opponents during a "Unity" press conference at state Republican headquarters in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, July 26, 2004. Ballantine's run against sitting Gov. Mike Easley started](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2PETFK0/republican-gubernatorial-candidate-patrick-ballantine-thanks-his-opponents-during-a-unity-press-conference-at-state-republican-headquarters-in-raleigh-nc-monday-july-26-2004-ballantines-run-against-sitting-gov-mike-easley-started-with-a-show-of-support-by-the-five-republicans-who-vied-for-the-gubernatorial-seat-in-last-weeks-primary-from-left-are-fern-shubert-bill-cobey-dan-barrett-ballantine-george-little-and-richard-vinroot-ap-photothe-news-observer-chuck-liddy-2PETFK0.jpg)
Republican gubernatorial candidate Patrick Ballantine thanks his opponents during a "Unity" press conference at state Republican headquarters in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, July 26, 2004. Ballantine's run against sitting Gov. Mike Easley started
![Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bill Cobey, center, talks to Wade Baker, owner of the Salem Street Soda Shop, right,. as he campaigns in Apex, N.C. on the final full day of campaigning for Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bill Cobey, center, talks to Wade Baker, owner of the Salem Street Soda Shop, right,. as he campaigns in Apex, N.C. on the final full day of campaigning for](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2PETTD0/republican-gubernatorial-hopeful-bill-cobey-center-talks-to-wade-baker-owner-of-the-salem-street-soda-shop-right-as-he-campaigns-in-apex-nc-on-the-final-full-day-of-campaigning-for-tuesdays-primary-ap-photokaren-tam-2PETTD0.jpg)
Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bill Cobey, center, talks to Wade Baker, owner of the Salem Street Soda Shop, right,. as he campaigns in Apex, N.C. on the final full day of campaigning for
![N.C. Supreme Court to hear court battle between State Board of Education, Superintendent | NC Newsline N.C. Supreme Court to hear court battle between State Board of Education, Superintendent | NC Newsline](https://ncnewsline.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Johnson-and-Cobey-300x178.jpg)