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Tax cuts were on the minds of the four leading Republican candidates for governor this afternoon.

The four candidates discussed taxes, road-building and other issues during a debate in Pinehurst, reports Lynn Bonner.

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory vowed to cut the state income tax.

An income tax higher than that of surrounding states puts North Carolina at a competitive disadvantage for recruiting new industry and makes it harder to keep jobs, said McCrory, calling the income tax “the most harmful tax we have.”

Bill Graham, a businessman from Salisbury, said he would eliminate income tax on overtime and cut the corporate tax rate to 5 percent.

Bob Orr, a former state Supreme Court justice, said “cherry-picking” taxes was the wrong approach. The state needs to get into serious talks about modernizing the tax system.

State Sen. Fred Smith of Clayton emphasized controlling state spending and his support for limiting state budget increases.

“I’ve never voted for a tax increase,” he said. “Taxes are just the result of government spending.”

Tom Campbell, host of NC Spin, moderated the debate, which was taped at the Country Club of North Carolina and sponsored by the local convention and visitors center and the Moore County Republican Men’s Club.

At a meeting in Pinehurst, Pat McCrory gave a preview of his campaign.

He called for better transportation planning, tighter immigration enforcement and a tough approach on crime, the Charlotte Observer reports.

In a speech before the Moore County Republican Men's Club Thursday, he also mentioned some issues he's tackled as mayor:

"There is a serious gang problem in North Carolina. I don't care where you live, there are gangs in the large cities and in the smallest towns," McCrory told the Moore County Republican Men's Club.

"The gangs are very mobile now. They don't just set up in a neighborhood. They will come here," he added, a golf course behind him as he spoke.

In an interview afterward, he disagreed that he's starting his campaign too late, saying that the public "doesn't want to be bugged by politicians so early."