Over Easley: The election could likely be a referendum on governor's term

RALEIGH (AP) - For the first time since 1992, the year that he won his first term as state attorney general, a presidential election year will pass in 2008 without Gov. Mike Easley running for statewide office.

But the race to replace the outgoing incumbent, who is barred by law from running for a third consecutive term, figures to focus plenty on his record in the Executive Mansion.