Gov. Beverly Perdue and the state Democratic Party said they welcomed a State Board of Elections hearing into the campaign finance activity of former Gov. Mike Easley.

Perdue, a Democrat, said the hearing was necessary.

"As I’ve said from day one of this administration, I’m committed to transparency and accountability in our government. I believe it is critical for the people of North Carolina that we have a thorough and public review of these issues," Perdue said in a statement.

David Young, chairman of the state Democratic Party, said the hearings were welcome.

“We support the Board of Elections and welcome a full, open, and fair hearing to determine the facts as expeditiously as possible. We will continue to assist the Board in any way possible," Young said in a statement.

Former U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan will be the keynote speaker at the annual Vance-Aycock dinner this weekend. 

Carnahan's selection is notable partly for when it was announced: four days before the dinner, which serves as a fundraiser, rally and party for state Democrats.

Democratic Party chairman David Young said he was proud to have Carnahan speak at the 49th Vance-Aycock dinner.

"Her remarkable achievements, leadership, and dedication to improving the lives of working families are an inspiration to all of us."

Senator Carnahan, the first woman to represent Missouri in the U.S. Senate, was appointed to the seat in 2001 after her late husband, Gov. Mel Carnahan, was killed in an airplane crash along with their son Randy and a campaign advisor just three weeks before the 2000 election. Missouri voters elected Governor Carnahan over John Ashcroft to the Senate posthumously.

Prior to serving in the Senate Carnahan served as Missouri's First Lady from 1993 to 2000. She was an advocate for on-site day care centers for working families, for childhood immunization, and for abuse centers, the arts, and Habitat for Humanity.

Carnahan’s son Russ is currently a U.S. Representative her daughter Robin is currently Missouri’s Secretary of State and running for the U.S. Senate in 2010.

Reaction from David Young, chairman of the N.C. Democratic Party, to President Barack Obama's speech on health care:

"The core of his plan is simple: provide more security and stability for people who have insurance, provide quality, affordable care to those who don’t, and rein in skyrocketing costs that are crushing American families, businesses and the government itself. 

"The president’s plan will protect North Carolinians from unfair insurance industry practices. It’ll prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against someone for a preexisting condition and it’ll stop them from dropping someone’s coverage when they get sick, and need help the most."

State Democratic Party Chairman David Young says Gov. Beverly Perdue and Democrats in the legislature deserve your thanks for the hard work they did in putting together a state budget.

And if you would like to make a contribution to the state party, that would be fine too.

Young sent an e-mail today to other Democrats praising the work of Perdue and the Democrats who control the legislature in putting together the budget.

"Drafting this budget wasn't easy, but when times are tough, we North Carolinians dig in, fight harder, and get the job done," Young wrote.

He praised Perdue and legislators for protecting education, eliminating waste and investing in biotechnology and sustainable energy sources.

He encourages Democrats to "reach out to Governor Perdue and your legislators to thank them for their hard work during these difficult economic times."

The e-mail includes a link for anyone inclined to say thanks with a contribution to the Democratic Party.

A long line ringed the block around Broughton High School Wednesday morning as hundreds of people streamed into the school's gym for the president's town hall.

Protestors and supporters of President Barack Obama's health care reform set up outside the event.

"ObamaCare wrong for NC," read one sign near Smallwood Drive. "Freedom isn't free. Neither is ObamaCare," read another.

On St. Mary's Street, supporters held up signs as well. "I can't afford MS," read one.

Many members of the state's Democratic establishment were in the crowd. Reps. Deborah Ross, Pricey Harrison and Verla Insko and Sen. Josh Stein were in the gym. State pary chairman David Young greeted VIPs near the stage which was set up with American flags as a backdrop.

State Democratic Chairman David Young today issued what he called “an urgent call” to Tar Heel Democrats to lobby for President Barack Obama plans to overhaul the nation’s health care system.

At a Raleigh news conference Wednesday afternoon, Young said there were 1.5 million North Carolinians with no health insurance and that 13 percent of the state’s children were not covered, reports Rob Christensen.

He warned that the opposition will use “scare tactics” to try to defeat needed health care changes. Despite charges of a government takeover of health care, Young said Obama has repeatedly said people can keep their own private insurance under his proposal, but would have the option of enrolling in a government-backed plan.

Read more after the jump.

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David Young is staying neutral in the Senate race.

The chair of the N.C. Democratic Party relayed his concern to Dome that we were misinterpreting his recent statements that he thinks U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler "would be a fantastic candidate."

We had linked to the comments while noting that local and national Democrats were pressuring Shuler to run.

In an e-mail to Dome, Democratic staffer Jerimee Richir said that he's not taking a stance and would happily support dark-horse candidates Cal Cunningham and Kenneth Lewis.

"David Young feels that Cunningham and Lewis would be great Senators," Richir wrote. "He also reemphasized that the NCDP is neutral in primaries."

U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler is again the hot topic.

Recent remarks by N.C. Democratic Party chairman David Young on an Asheville radio station that Shuler is reconsidering a run for Senate have fanned the flames, reports the Hendersonville Times-News: 

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee members "are talking to him very seriously," Young told WPEK 880-AM. "I believe congressman Shuler is considering it again."

Young told the Times-News Tuesday that he had not spoken directly with Shuler, but believes it would be positive for Western North Carolina if Shuler ran against Burr.

"I think he would be a fantastic candidate," said Young, a former Buncombe County commissioner.

The newspaper also notes that an open seat in Shuler's conservative mountain district could mean a GOP win there.

Hat Tip: Scorecard 

* Worth noting: Former U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms voted to confirm Sonia Sotomayor as U.S. Circuit judge in 1998; former Sen. Lauch Faircloth against.

* Brian Nick, a former aide to U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, was named a "rising star" by Politics magazine for consultants and advocates under 35.

* N.C. Republican Party chair candidates Chad Adams and Marcus Kindley answer questionnaires on policy from Carolina Politics Online.

* N.C. Democratic Party chair David Young says on Asheville talk radio that his "gut" tells him U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler is thinking of a Senate run.