The two candidates offer a stark contrast.

Our state is getting recognized for much more than its great geography, warm climate and higher education. MentionNorth Carolina and critics may give you the daunting statistics:

-          5th highest unemployment in the country 

-          Highest corporate tax rate in the southeast

-          Highest gas tax

-          Highest personal income tax in the southeast.

This is the same state that used to be the world leader in tobacco, textiles and banking. The two candidates for Lieutenant Governor say they know exactly how to do fix our state.

“We need to continue investing,” says Coleman. “One of the things we need to do…our infrastructure, our quality of life. Industry based recruitment.”

“We need to get government out of the way. Reduce the size of government out of the way. Reduce the size of government…grow the size of our economy,” says Forest.

When it comes to K-12 public school education in North Carolina, our state ranks as one of the worst in the country.

“We need to reinvest in education,” Coleman says. “We need to make sure we are investing in job training, in high tech research and investing in all of those things that have made our state great over the years.”

“I think we need to put the power of education back in the hands of the parents,” Forest says. “Back in the hands of the teachers, get it out of the hands of bureaucrats who sit in Raleigh or D.C. telling how to run their education program.

The bottom line is this: you have an architect running against a former educator. So why should you vote for them?

“I'm running for Lt. Governor so I can help protect the middle class. And that means investing in education, in job training and high research,” Coleman says.

“I think architects are well suited for that arena. By nature of training we are visionaries, we are planners we are creative problem solvers…necessary for good leadership in state government,” Forest says.

9 On Your Side wants you to stay informed when you head to the polls. For the latest campaign news, use the keywords “Campaign 2012.”

Video at the link: http://www2.wnct.com/news/2012/oct/23/9-your-side-talks-your-candidates-nc-lt-governor-ar-2719787/