RALEIGH, N.C. — RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Folwell introduced on Saturday he’ll run for governor in 2024, a bid that may possible require him besting Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson to earn the Republican nomination.

Whereas Republicans have managed the Legislature since 2011 and received a majority on the state Supreme Courtroom final November, they’ve struggled to enter the Govt Mansion. The GOP has received only one gubernatorial normal election since 1992, and winner Pat McCrory served for simply 4 years.

Folwell, a former legislator, faculty board member and state unemployment workplace chief who was first elected treasurer in 2016, mentioned he would carry competence to working authorities in a fiscally sound method and look out for working folks if elected.

“The basis phrase of ‘governor’ is to manipulate, and what which means is to be the CEO of the largest enterprise within the state,” Folwell advised The Related Press in an interview. “And based mostly on my observe report of saving lives, minds and cash, I’m uniquely certified to do this.”

The state structure prevents Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper from searching for a 3rd consecutive time period.

Folwell had mentioned in September that he was strongly contemplating a run for governor after encouragement from a number of Republicans. He revealed his plans first at Saturday’s Republican Social gathering conference for Forsyth County, the place he lives.

The disclosure got here two days after Robinson mentioned he’d maintain an April 22 rally at an Alamance County race observe, the place he’d make a “particular announcement” about 2024.

Robinson’s marketing campaign adviser declined to disclose his particular plans, however Robinson has mentioned beforehand that he was pretty sure that he’d run for governor.

Robinson, who was elected the state’s first Black lieutenant governor in 2020 in his first run for workplace, launched an autobiography final yr and is a well-liked speaker at conservative church buildings and occasions.

Legal professional Basic Josh Stein introduced his bid for the Democratic nomination for governor in January, taking direct goal at Robinson for speeches during which critics say he disparaged LGBTQ+ folks, girls and abortion rights. Final week, Robinson criticized church buildings that fly a “rainbow flag.”

Robinson hasn’t apologized for sure remarks, saying he wasn’t attacking the LGBTQ+ neighborhood — however fairly it was a judgment on studying supplies within the public colleges. He additionally mentioned he can separate his spiritual views from his governmental obligations. However some Republicans are apprehensive about whether or not Robinson can win the overall election within the carefully divided state.

Folwell had already criticized Robinson’s governing type months in the past.

At his announcement, Folwell identified that the general public did not even know who Robinson was a couple of years in the past. Since then, Folwell mentioned, Robinson has “spent all this time attacking folks as an alternative of attacking the essential issues that our residents are going through.”

Folwell, in the meantime, mentioned he is engaging to voters as a result of they really feel like as an elected official “I’m doing the precise factor on their behalf.”

“They are going to answer any individual who speaks to them like adults,” he added.

Folwell mentioned his timing to get within the race had nothing to do with Robinson’s upcoming announcement — he needed to disclose his plans first to his fellow native Republicans.

Folwell, 64, ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 2012 earlier than profitable his present statewide job 4 years later.

Whereas treasurer, he’s centered upon efforts to curb well being care prices for state workers and retirees and for the poor as a method to enhance their well-being. As McCrory’s unemployment workplace chief he helped perform system reforms and implement new applied sciences.

The state treasurer manages the state’s investments and its large authorities worker pension funds. His workplace additionally oversees the medical insurance program for state employees and lecturers and their dependents.

The State Well being Plan has been sued over its choice — defended by Folwell — to say no protecting gender-affirming therapies for transgender workers and their kids.

Whereas delivering the Republican response to Cooper’s State of the State deal with earlier this month, Robinson centered on his life story whereas selling fiscal accountability and respect for regulation enforcement and public faculty lecturers.

Folwell additionally talks about rising up in poverty. Folwell mentioned his younger maturity included working as a trash collector and in bike retailers earlier than going to school and turning into a CPA. He then labored for an funding agency.

Former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., additionally has expressed curiosity in a gubernatorial bid. Candidate submitting for the March 2024 main is held in December, however anybody else searching for to problem Robinson will really feel stress to enter this spring.

On the finish of 2022, Folwell reported $47,000 in money in his marketing campaign account, in comparison with $2.2 million held by Robinson’s marketing campaign.