(Raleigh) -- The candidates seeking the Governor's Mansion are now gearing up for the fall campaign after last week's primaries. Rufus Edmisten, who lost his own bid for governor in 1984, says there's no clear frontrunner in this year's race.

"I think it's going to be a tight race. It's always been tight in North Carolina. I don't care what the polls say."

Democratic Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton wants Republican Pat McCrory to commit to eight "town hall"-style debates over the next four months in their North Carolina gubernatorial campaign. McCrory's campaign did not immediately respond.

Edmisten says he hopes the candidates will stay on the high road. "I hope the two gentlement will not let their advisors turn them in to monsters [with negative campaigning]." Edmisten added that he hopes the candidates will remember what their parents thought them.

The race also includes Libertarian candidate Barbara Howe.