The state's junior senator, John Edwards, is running on the Democratic presidential ticket with Sen. John Kerry, of Mass. Edwards had sough the nomination himself but abandoned his bid after poor showings in the primaries.

Kerry's decision came on July 6, less than three weeks before the start of the Democratic convention. In making his announcement, Kerry called the rich former trial lawyer and rookie senator a man who showed "guts and determination and political skill" in his unsuccessful race against Kerry for the party's nomination.

Before primary season, Edwards had announced he would not seek a second term in 2004 in order to focus on his presidential bid. Edwards won only one primary _ South Carolina.

Former Clinton chief of staff Erskine Bowles faces five-term GOP Rep. Richard Burr for Edwards' open seat. Burr is not seeking another term in the 5th district, which he has held since 1994.

Bowles was the Democratic nominee for North Carolina's other Senate seat, vacated in 2002 by Republican Jesse Helms. He lost handily to Republican Elizabeth Dole in 2002 in a race that was the most expensive Senate contest in the country; they spent a total of more than $22 million.

Earlier in the year, the state held a special election to fill the remainder of the term of former Democratic Rep. Frank Ballance, who resigned for what he said were health reasons but also was under investigation over the handling of funds at a foundation he started. Democrat G.K. Butterfield, a former state Supreme Court Justice, easily won the election and took office immediately.

Democratic Gov. Mike Easley is up for re-election this year against former state Sen. Republican Patrick Ballantine of Wilmington. Easley is expected to win his second term.

Easley came into office in 2000 as the state and country entered an economic downturn that led to job losses and sluggish tax collections. The resulting budget shortfalls forced him to take a number of unpopular steps, including raids on local government money.

It all looked like a recipe for disaster for a Democratic incumbent governor who had never really been embraced by the party establishment. But Easley is now looking a lot stronger than many incumbent governors around the country.

The 10th district seat is open with the retirement of Republican Rep. Cass Ballenger. Ballenger stirred controversy with criticism of an American Muslim group and a black congresswoman. He announced in December 2003 he would retire rather than seek re-election to a 10th term in Congress. Ballenger had never lost an election, serving in local office and the North Carolina Legislature before winning his House seat in 1986.