Charlotte Mayor Won't Run for Gov

RALEIGH, N.C. – Former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot (search) said Thursday he will not seek a runoff for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, leaving Patrick Ballantine as the nominee to challenge Gov. Mike Easley (search) in November.

"I have made a spiritual decision in this case," Vinroot said. "My decision is to not call for a runoff."

Ballantine, a former state senator, finished slightly ahead of Vinroot in Tuesday's six-person GOP primary. Since neither candidate collected 40 percent of the vote, Vinroot had the option of demanding a runoff.