This article presents an unbiased comparison of the political positions and policies of Pat McCrory and Walter Dalton, the Republican and Democratic party candidates respectively for the 2012 gubernatorial elections in North Carolina.
Result: Republican Pat McCrory defeated Democrat Dalton to win the election.
Comparison chart
| Pat McCrory | Walter Dalton | |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Political Party | Republican | Democrat |
| Tax Policy | Supports lower income tax. Supports lower corporate tax. | Does not support raising sales and consumption taxes. |
| Healthcare Policy | Opposes Obama’s health care plan | Supports health care reform |
| Education Policy | Supports reform, including more charter school, more online options and a required reading level for 4th graders. | Supports increased funding for community colleges and universities and increased teacher pay. Promises to restore cuts to education. |
| Energy Policy | Supports energy independence and an increase in investment in energy resources. | Supports use of renewable energy. |
| Environmental Policy | No stated policies. | Supports expanding state parks and clean water initiatives. |
| Position on Abortion | Opposes | Supports legal abortion |
| Position on Gay Rights | Opposes gay marriage | Supports civil unions |
| Date of birth | October 17th 1956 | May 21st 1949 |
| Hometown | Columbus, Ohio | Rutherfordton, NC |
Early Life and Career
Pat McCrory was born in Columbus, Ohio and graduated from Catawba College in North Carolina in 1978. He worked at Duke Energy until 2007 and became mayor of Charlotte in 1995.
Walter Dalton is from Rutherfordton in North Carolina. He graduated from the University of North Carolina and worked in banking before returning to earn his law degree in 1975. After completing his JD, he worked as a managing partner of a law firm and was elected to the State Senate in 1996. He has been the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina since 2008.
Differences in Economic Policy
Tax Policy
Pat McCrory opposes any increase in sales tax [1] and supports a cut in income tax [2].
Walter Dalton supports a rise of three-quarters of a cent in sales tax to help fund the improvement of education. [3]
Healthcare Policy
Pat McCrory opposes Obama’s health care bill and instead supports increased technological innovation and preventative healthcare programs. [4] He opposes government interference in health insurance plans. [5]
Walter Dalton supported increased investment in cancer research and increased health care funding for low income children and senior citizens. He also provided tax credits to small businesses to help them provide employees with health insurance. He supports free clinics and small rural hospitals to improve health care access in the state. [6]
Social Issues
Abortion
Pat McCrory opposes legal abortion. [7]
Walter Dalton supports legal abortion. [8]
Gay rights
Pat McCrory opposes gay marriage and supports a constitutional amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman. [9]
Walter Dalton opposes a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and civil unions, stating a support for civil unions for all couples. [10]
Education Policy
Pat McCrory aims to create two pathways to high school diplomas: one for “college ready” students and one for “career ready” students. He plans to increase the number of on-line courses available to students and the number of charter schools, and to institute a reading level requirement to advance into fourth grade. He also plans to increase pay for quality teachers and hold schools accountable for their results. [11]
Walter Dalton supports a payrise for teachers, smaller class sizes and greater accountability for schools. He aims to increase North Carolina’s focus on science, technology, engineering and math and supports additional funding for community colleges and universities. [12]
Energy Policy
Pat McCrory supports energy independence and an increased focus on energy to boost the economy. [13]
Walter Dalton is cautious about the use of fracking, as it presents concerns about the protection of drinking water. [14]. He supports the use of renewable energy sources, including the use of safe nuclear plants. [15]
Environmental Policy
Pat McCrory has not spoken on environmental issues.
Walter Dalton has enlarged state park areas to boost tourism in the state and protected the Clean Water Management Trust Fund to improve water quality and preserve sensitive areas. [16]
Debates
The first debate between Pat McCrory and Walter Dalton was held on June 23, 2012 and sponsored by the North Carolina Bar Association. The full video is presented below.
The second debate was held on October 3, 2012 and was televised. Highlights are presented below:
Opinion Poll Ratings
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Walter Dalton (D) | Pat McCrory (R) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survey USA | September 29-October 1, 2012 | 39% | 51% |
| WSJ/NBC News/Marist | September 23-25, 2012 | 39% | 52% |
| Rasmussen Reports | September 13, 2012 | 38% | 51% |
| Survey USA/Civitas | September 4-6, 2012 | 39% | 55% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 30-September 3, 2012 | 39% | 45% |
| Elon Univ./Charlotte Observer | August 25-30, 2012 | 37% | 52% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 2-5, 2012 | 38% | 45% |
| Rasmussen Reports | July 27, 2012 | 41% | 46% |
| Public Policy Polling | July 5-8, 2012 | 36% | 43% |
| Survey USA | June 29-July 1, 2012 | 44% | 46% |
| Rasmussen Reports | June 25, 2012 | 35% | 49% |
| NBC News/Marist | June 24-25, 2012 | 41% | 43% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 7-10, 2012 | 40% | 47% |
| Survey USA | May 18-21, 2012 | 39% | 44% |
| Rasmussen Reports | May 14, 2012 | 41% | 50% |
| Public Policy Polling | May 10-13, 2012 | 40% | 46% |
| Rasmussen Reports | April 10, 2012 | 36% | 45% |
| Public Policy Polling | March 8–11, 2012 | 35% | 46% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 27–29, 2012 | 35% | 50% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 30 – October 3, 2011 | 32% | 46% |
| Public Policy Polling | March 17–20, 2011 | 27% | 47% |
Democrat 
Liberal 
Romney 
Obamacare 
Maggie Hassan 
Rick Hill
Comments: Pat McCrory vs Walter Dalton