Cooper gets teachers’ group backing; McCrory gets challenger

By GARY D. ROBERTSON
Associated Press

RALEIGH, NC (AP) – North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory has landed a Republican primary challenge from a former state lawmaker persuaded to get in the race based on opposition to toll lanes on Interstate 77 north of Charlotte.

Robert Brawley of Mooresville filed his candidacy papers at the State Board of Elections on Wednesday, the same day the North Carolina Association of Educators endorsed Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper for governor next year over McCrory and Democrat Ken Spaulding.

Brawley served in the House for 18 years in the 1980s and ’90s before returning in 2013 for another term. Brawley was shut out of House Republican Caucus meetings last year by fellow GOP colleagues.

Brawley said in a release that McCrory has done many good things but other concerns must be addressed.

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