Cooper, Forest Need Primary Wins Before Governor's Showdown

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper will go head to head with Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest this fall if each wins his respective party's gubernatorial primary next week. Also running on Super Tuesday are a slew of candidates seeking the Council of State's nine other statewide positions. Forest and state Rep. Holly Grange are seeking the GOP gubernatorial nomination. Cooper faces low-key opposition in the primary from Democratic challenger Ernest Reeves. Fifteen people are seeking the Democratic or Republican bids for lieutenant governor to succeed Forest. Another seven want to be the next superintendent of public instruction.