Because incumbent Governor Mike Easley was term-limited, the open-seat race was contested between Democrat Beverly Perdue, Republican Pat McCrory, and Libertarian Michael Munger.

Likewise, Democrat Walter H. Dalton, Republican Robert Pittenger, and Libertarian Phillip Rhodes vied to replace term-limited Lieutenant Governor Perdue.

Candidates Richard Moore, Dennis Nielsen, Robert Orr, and Bev Perdue took part in a forum on January 26, sponsored by the state chapter of the NAACP.

[4] Moore and Nielsen appeared on the edition of NC Spin broadcast April 13 on most stations, but Perdue declined the invitation to participate.

[10] The Raleigh News & Observer reported on January 9, 2008, that McCrory had filed the necessary paperwork with the State Board of Elections to run for governor.

[35] Perdue and McCrory remained close, with the two often polling in a statistical tie[34] in what was the closest race for governor in the nation.

[51] When Hillary Clinton dropped out of the 2008 presidential election The New York Times mentioned Perdue as a potential pick for Obama's vice president.

"[54] While Democratic candidate Perdue took a hard line on illegal immigration similar to that of Republican Pat McCrory, Munger took a position more aligned with Barack Obama.

[55] Perdue raised $15 million and ran attack ads against McCrory, criticizing him for not being tough enough on illegal immigration.

[61] Perdue received the endorsement of actor and director Andy Griffith, who filmed a campaign ad on her behalf.

The first general election debate between Perdue and McCrory was a forum at the North Carolina Bar Association meeting in Atlantic Beach on June 21.