Fred Smith gave a shout-out to a member of Mike Easley's Cabinet.
In one of the most unexpected moments of the WRAL debate tonight, the Republican gubernatorial candidate was asked who in the Democratic governor's Cabinet he might keep if elected.
He said Health and Human Services head Dempsey Benton.
"He is one of the best public servants I have ever met," he said. "I dealt with Dempsey when he was mayor of Raleigh. ... I can assure you that when I am governor Dempsey Benton will be on that team."
Benton was appointed to the department by Easley in September to replace Carmen Hooker-Odom. He previously served as chief deputy secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and led a task force investigating a chemical fire in Apex.
As a bonus, Benton is currently registered as unaffiliated, so he wouldn't be out of place in a Republican administration.
Fact check: Benton was the longtime city manager, not mayor.
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