North Carolina Democrats are gathering for one of their seasonal dinners and fundraisers at a time of party upheaval after Gov. Beverly Perdue announced she wouldn't seek a second term.
The North Carolina Democratic Party expected more than 500 people at Saturday evening's Sanford Hunt Frye dinner at a Greensboro hotel. The event takes on added significance as several Democrats consider whether to run in the party's gubernatorial primary.
Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton is already in, and state Rep. Bill Faison of Orange County planned to announce his bid Saturday morning at the hotel.
Perdue was expected to speak briefly at the dinner. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is the keynote speaker.
The event honors former Gov. Jim Hunt, ex-Chief Justice Henry Frye and the late Gov. Terry Sanford.
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