Both Democratic candidates for governor in North Carolina have now endorsed Barack Obama. Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue recently threw her support behind Obama, while her opponent, Treasurer Richard Moore, endorsed him last month.

Perdue is attempting to become the first female governor in the state, coincidentally the same year Hillary Clinton is seeking to become the first woman president. With her support among women likely already strong, Perdue's public backing of Obama two months before the primary can only help her support among blacks, who make up more than a fifth of the state population and a large majority of whom have supported Obama in primaries across the country.

Perdue had previously remained neutral in the presidential race, but Obama is ahead in recent North Carolina polls, and leads Clinton by more than 150 in total pledged delegates. With the presidential and gubernatorial primaries both being held May 6, and the race between Perdue and Moore tight, both candidates appear to feel that backing Obama is the wiser political position to take.