RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (AP) - The Latest on Tuesday’s debate between North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory and Democratic challenger Roy Cooper (all times local):
8:25 p.m.
North Carolina’s controversial law limiting nondiscrimination rules for LGBT people is taking center stage at the gubernatorial debate of Republican incumbent Pat McCrory and Democratic challenger Roy Cooper.
Cooper said Tuesday on statewide television that McCrory wrote discrimination into the state law by signing what’s known as House Bill 2. The law has been criticized by corporate CEOs, civil rights groups and entertainers, and Cooper wants it repealed.
But McCrory says liberal politicians like Charlotte’s mayor and Cooper forced the hands of Republican lawmakers to pass the law. The legislation came a month after Charlotte leaders approved an ordinance expanding anti-discrimination protections to LGBT people. Cooper says McCrory is always blaming someone else and not himself.
McCrory also declined Tuesday to withdraw his support for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump for his recently disclosed comments about women. Cooper says it was hard to believe the governor would continue to back Trump.
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6 p.m.
Republican Gov. Pat McCrory and Democratic challenger Roy Cooper are holding a debate that will be overshadowed in parts of North Carolina by Hurricane Matthew’s aftermath.
The candidates are participating in Tuesday evening’s statewide televised debate held in North Carolina’s Triangle region, hosted by Chuck Todd of NBC News.
Debate topics are sure to include the law McCrory signed that limits anti-discrimination rules for LGBT people and requires transgender people to use bathrooms in schools and government buildings corresponding with the gender on their birth certificate. Cooper, the attorney general, wants the law known as House Bill 2 repealed.
The debate comes as eastern North Carolina residents recover from the storm and flee more river flooding. Many eastern North Carolina voters still lack electricity or are staying in shelters.
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