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North Carolina mayors say fighting the growth in gangs is not a partisan issue.

But when they walked into the legislature today to advocate for anti-gang legislation at a news conference, only Democrats were given the microphone, reports Dan Kane.

State Sen. Malcolm Graham, a Charlotte Democrat who led the news conference, said Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy and Charlotte Mayor Pro-Tem Susan Burgess were invited to speak because they are leaders of statewide municipal organizations.

Foy leads the Metrolina Coalition of N.C. Mayors; Burgess is president of the N.C. League of Municipalities.

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, the Republican candidate for governor who has long advocated for gang prevention measures, could only stand along with roughly two dozen mayors, police chiefs and lawmakers in the legislature's room for news conferences.

He said he was invited to the news conference, but not to speak.

"I didn't mind not talking," McCrory said. "I do wish that they had a little bipartisanship up there."

He got his opportunity. Reporters and TV cameras swarmed him once the event ended.

State Sen. Malcolm Graham is not running for mayor of Charlotte — and may not run for re-election.

The Mecklenburg Democrat ended weeks of speculation Monday that he might challenge Republican Mayor Pat McCrory, the Char-O's Jim Morrill reports.

A father of two who runs his own consulting business, he cited the demands of public service on his family and his job.

"The toll it takes on my personal and professional life makes me want to step back," he said.

Graham said he'll decide later this year whether to run for re-election in 2008 but considers another race "unlikely."