North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue speaks during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- North Carolina's governor and Charlotte's mayor have put their imprint on the first day of the Democratic National Convention.

Gov. Beverly Perdue and Mayor Anthony Foxx spoke to the convention crowd from the podium at Time Warner Cable Arena Tuesday evening. They were among dozens of podium speakers once the gavel came down on the three-day convention.

Foxx talked about his upbringing and how he was the product of a city that came together to integrate the schools 40 years ago. Foxx has been the key public figure in assembling the convention.

Perdue praised President Obama for his education initiatives and said he'll win the state's electoral votes.

Third-graders at W.R. O'Dell Elementary School in Concord also led the convention hall in the Pledge of Allegiance.

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