Scott Thomas, a district attorney and former state senator from Craven County, has been named chairman of the Governor's Crime Commission.

Thomas will head a 11-member advisory committee that recommends policy on fighting crime and administers federal criminal justice and juvenile justice grants, Rob Christensen reports.

"The Governor's Crime Commission will be an active voice in my administration, advising me on the best ways to prevent, deter and fight crime," Gov. Beverly Perdue said in making the appointment.

Thomas, 42, whose father was also a state senator, had been considered a top candidate for Perdue’s secretary of crime control and public safety.

Other new members of the commission include Richard Shaffer, a district attorney for Cleveland and Lincoln counties; James Wilson Pierce, executive director of Kids Making It, in Wilmington; Rodney Monroe, the Charlotte police chief; Superior Court Judge Carl Fox of Orange County; and Jennifer Roberts, chair of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners.

A few moments from Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue inaugural ball tonight:

U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler was the only member of the delegation on his flight from D.C. He has a 4-year-old daughter, Island, so a female governor has special significance.

"That means my daughter can do anything she sets her mind to."

*****

State Rep. Alice Graham Underhill was showing around her niece, 20-year-old Grace Ann Brooks, a junior studying communication at N.C. State University.

She attended an inaugural as an infant in 1989 when her grandfather, then-Commissioner of Agriculture Jim Graham, was sworn in.

*****

Labor Comissioner Cherie Berry's three daughters were in town from Charlotte; Toledo, Ohio; and D.C. She wore her grandmother's crystal necklace and earrings.

There are still 2 Republicans on the Council of State, with Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

"We can still get a second to a motion," she joked.

*****

Mecklenburg County Commissioners Jennifer Roberts and Harold Cogdell drove up for the festivities.

Perdue's Republican opponent last year was Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory.

"We thought it was important to open a new channel with the governor's office." Cogdell said.

— Mark Johnson

Hillary Clinton released a list of state politicians who have endorsed her.

The list of 60 names includes former U.S. Sen. Robert Morgan, state Sens. Dan Clodfelter and Julia Boseman, state Reps. Susan Fisher and Ronnie Sutton and Mecklenburg County Commissioners Parks Helms and Jennifer Roberts.

"Hillary is the most qualified person for the job — she is a doer and a fighter,” said Julia Boseman in a statement. "I am impressed by her plans to bring health care to all Americans, lower gas prices, and create renewable energy solutions."

It also includes former state Reps. Steve Dolley, Jim Morgan, Max Melton, and Tom Rabon; and former state Sens. Allen Wellons, Frank Block, Tom Taft, Aaron Plyler and Russell Walker.

County commissioners on the list: Gary Barber of Ashe County; Wade Nelms of Carteret County; Gene Gregory of Currituck County; Kay Cashion of Guilford County; Mike Nelson of Orange County; Charles Ward of Perquimans County; Eugene James and Beth Ward of Pitt County; Tommy Melton of Polk County; Roger Oxendine of Robeson County; John Bell, Atlas Price and Roland "Bud" Gray of Wayne County; Tommy Garner of Yadkin County; and Lindy Brown and Betty Lou Ward of Wake County.

Also on the list: Elon Mayor Jerry Tolley, Roanoke Rapids Mayor D.N. Beale, Princeton Mayor Donald Rains, Ayden Mayor Stephen Tripp, Grimesland Mayor Gerald Whitley, Mount Olive Mayor Ray McDonald Sr. and Yadkinville Mayor Hubert Gregory.