Gov. Beverly Perdue today named Marion Sullivan her director of intergovernmental affairs.

In her new post, Sullivan, 42, will serve as a liaison to local governments, constituent groups and the governor’s regional offices, including a new one in Charlotte, reports Jim Morrill.

"I think its great for Charlotte," Sullivan said of her appointment.

She said the governor is "getting close" to announcing a new Charlotte office. Perdue promised during the campaign to open an office in the Queen City and even work in it from time to time.

Sullivan was a senior adviser to Perdue’s campaign. She's also worked on Capitol Hill, for a Democratic pollster and for former Gov. Mike Easley's 2004 re-election.

Beverly Perdue spent $1.2 million in 2007.

The Democratic gubernatorial candidate's biggest expenses last year were related to her campaign staff, including payroll taxes and services.

(Her overall expenses since her re-election in 2005 were $1.7 million.)

She paid $136,782 to fundraiser Marion Sullivan; $129,372 for policy research to a firm owned by Pope "Mac" McCorkle; $119,983 to a firm run by Mike Easley's media consultant, Saul Schorr; and $82,230 for polling to Peter D. Hart Research Associates.

Perdue also paid $42,060 to her finance consultant, Peter Reichard, and $31,442 to Rideout Research Group of Raleigh for research, according to campaign finance reports.

In addition, she reimbursed the State Highway Patrol $3,838 for providing a security detail at campaign events.

Spokesman David Kochman said that Perdue has the advantage of an existing network of supporters, allowing the campaign to spend its money putting together plans on health care and education.

"A lot of voters are just beginning to pay attention," he said. "But we've been working hard for some time to lay the foundation for a strong campaign."