(RALEIGH) -- Former Congressman Bob Etheridge recently held an official kickoff for his gubernatorial campaign. He set the blame squarely at the feet of Republicans for cuts to education in North Carolina.

Etheridge said education will be the cornerstone of his pursuit of the state's top job.  He said recent decisions by Republican state legislators threaten the dream of a high-quality education for all North Carolinians.

"That dream is under assault today right here in North Carolina," said Etheridge. "You don't fire teachers, cut the college curriculums, starve community colleges and slash scholarship opportunities for young people to move forward."

Etheridge, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton and State Rep. Bill Faison are the leading Democrats in the race for their party's nomination for Governor.