• Arrive early. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will campaign tonight in Smithfield for GOP gubernatorial nominee Pat McCrory tonight at a barbecue that’s expected to draw thousands.
• More star power. Meantime, singer Alicia Keys and two members of the Biden family will campaign for Democrats at separate events this weekend.
• On the mend. Republican Gene McLaurin, who’s running for the open seat in Senate District 25, is “resting comfortably” after a Wednesday auto accident and expects to resume his campaign soon, his family said.
• For the bench. Veteran Wake County Superior Court Judge Abe Jones is facing an unusual challenge from fellow Democrat Bryan Collins, a public defender, in race to represent a new judicial district.
• Family tradition. State Sen. Thom Goolsby, R-New Hanover, launches an ad featuring an “independent voter” — his wife — to counter the aggressive ads from Democratic opponent Deb Butler.
http://youtu.be/rYcgxLI1DtE
