WINDSOR – The Roanoke Chowan Republican Club will host a reception for former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory from 5:30-7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26 at The Inn at Gray’s Landing, located at 401 S. King Street, Windsor

McCrory is widely expected to be the Republican nominee in the 2012  gubernatorial race and will answer questions on his vision for the future of North Carolina by growing the economy. The event is free and open to the public.

The former mayor will make several stops in the local area that same day, including Lawrence Academy at 3:15 p.m.

For more information contact Garry Terry at 252-332-9127, Dan Phillips at 252-398-7485 or Donnie Taylor at 252-209-7079.

In November 2007, McCrory became the first seven-term mayor in the history of the City of Charlotte, continuing his record as the city’s longest-serving mayor.

He began his political career in Charlotte in 1989 when he was elected as an At-Large City Council representative in his first run for an elected office. He was reelected in both 1991 and 1993, serving as Mayor Pro Tem in 1993 until first elected Mayor in 1995.

McCrory has distinguished himself as a leader in public safety, economic development, housing and transportation.  He has been recognized nationally for his leadership in developing Charlotte’s 25-year transportation and land use plan, including his efforts to secure $200 million in federal funds for light rail in Charlotte. Also, $2 billion in local and state road improvements have been made throughout the city over the past decade.

During McCrory’s time as mayor, Charlotte’s population has grown by 20 percent, 200,000 jobs have been created, and he led the effort to recruit such companies as TIAA-CREF, General Dynamics Armament, The Westin Hotel, and Johnson & Wales Culinary School. He was also instrumental in Charlotte being selected as the home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the development of the new Charlotte Arena and the U.S. Whitewater Center. In 2005, Money Magazine listed Charlotte in its Top 3 Best Places to Live and Reader’s Digest named it one of the 20 Cleanest Cities in America.

McCrory graduated from Catawba College in 1978 with a B.A. degree in Political Science/ Education. He currently sits on the Board of Trustees for Catawba College and received an Honorary Doctorate degree from the school in 2001.