(RALEIGH) -- The candidates for Governor are out stumping for votes and Ferrell Guillory with the UNC-Chapel Hill Program on Public Life says right now the Republicans may have a strong chance to win the Governors Mansion.

"The Republican takeover of the General Assembly in 2010 has given the Republican party some momentum particularly in fundraising, so the Republican party probably has, and will continue to have, a fundraising advantage," said Guillory.

He added that one reason behind this observation is that Democrats have held the office for the last five terms. "We've had five consecutive Democratic governors, two Jim Hunt, two Mike Easley, one Bev Perdue, and so Republicans can make an argument that it's time for a change."

But Guillory said that Democrat Walter Dalton could still eke out a win over Republican Pat McCrory if President Barack Obama has a strong showing against Mitt Romney in the Presidential race.