North Carolina’s Greensboro News and Record profiles Libertarian gubernatorial nominee Michael Munger under the headline “N.C. Libertarian Runs For Serious Attention.” The newspaper says “at least one upcoming debate will exclude him while other hosts are having to be reminded that North Carolina officially has three parties.” Munger said, “If I’m invited to the debate, and I do a bad job, voters are going to say ‘I’m not interested.’ If I do a good job, if I raise some ideas, some issues that other people aren’t talking about, I can make the political system more competitive, more transparent. … Either way, I don’t see how it harms anyone else, and it may very well help.”

The News-Record writes, “In many respects, the discussion over debates mirrors the discussion Libertarians are having with voters, news media and other players across a variety of topics this year. Libertarians have played a part in North Carolina elections for years, but state ballot-access rules have consistently stripped them of their status as an official party. The party submitted enough signatures this spring to regain their ballot access, meaning that candidates such as Munger will have their names printed alongside those of candidates from the two bigger parties. Now, Munger says, the party must take advantage of the opportunities available this year that have not been a part of prior elections.” The paper also says presidential nominee Bob Barr “may play the role of spoiler in North Carolina, meaning he is more likely to visit here and help raise money.”