Shelby, NC - Tenth District Congressman Patrick McHenry and State Senator Fred Smith were the big winners of the Cleveland County Republican Party's straw poll held at the Party's annual convention Monday night...

In the straw poll for Governor, State Senator Fred Smith of Johnston County was the clear favorite as he captured 61% of the vote. He was trailed distantly by Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory with 26%, Former State Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr with 9 % and Salisbury Attorney Bill Graham with 4%. Both McCrory and Graham attended and spoke at the convention. Senator Smith could not attend but his Western Field Representative; Former Henderson County Sheriff George Erwin spoke on his behalf.

"We have four fine candidates for governor all of which recognize the importance of Cleveland County and have been here on numerous occasions. I want to thank Mayor McCrory, and Mr. Graham for taking the time to attend our convention as well as Sheriff Erwin for coming on behalf of Senator Smith," King commented.

The article above by David Allen was published in The Star and is available online here.