The Democrats for decades have had their annual Jefferson-Jackson fund raising dinner in Raleigh.

But on Saturday, some 400 to 500 Democrats are expected to gather at the Durham Marriott Convention Center, Rob Christensen reports.

David Young, the state Democratic chairman, said he wanted to see the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner moved around periodically and he said Durham was a good place to start because of its strong Democratic showing in last year’s election.

The featured speaker at the $100-per plate dinner is national Democratic chairman Tim Kaine, the governor of Virginia. North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue invited Kaine, and she will be on hand to play host.

The appearance by Kaine is another indication that the Obama administration is paying a lot of attention to North Carolina. Both President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have visited the state.

More after the jump.

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Barack Obama's uphill win in North Carolina was led by a veteran operative.

Marc Farinella, 50, grew up in New York and Chicago, entering the latter city's politics with a reputation as an egghead. He became campaign manager and chief of staff to Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan, who defeated Sen. John Ashcroft in 2000 despite dying weeks earlier.

He worked as a strategist for Erskine Bowles' unsuccessful Senate campaign in 2002 and Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue's re-election campaign in 2004.

He started 2008 working for Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, who decided not to get into the race, then came to North Carolina for Obama in July.

The Obama organization had about 50 offices and 23,000 volunteers. Farinella spoke to former Gov. Jim Hunt as often as twice a day.

He said he is considering moving to North Carolina. (N&O)

The presidential campaigns are reaching out to North Carolina in different ways.

In recent weeks, the campaigns of both presumptive Republican nominee John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama have been e-mailing and calling Dome in earnest.

For now, McCain is more active, but Obama may be putting more resources here.

Starting in late June, McCain's regional communications director, Mario Diaz, began contacting Dome with press releases and suggestions for stories.

A former TV anchor from the Tampa area, Diaz works on the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama and Florida out of a Tallahassee office.  

Obama's campaign was in regular contact with Dome leading up to the May 6 primary, though communications fell off after the circus left town. 

It's still not ramped back to the previous level — if it ever will — but in mid-July, Obama named Marc Farinella state director for his campaign.

Farinella knows North Carolina well, having worked for Erskine Bowles' Senate bid in 2002 and Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue's re-election in 2004.