The two leading Democratic candidates for governor are balking over new commercials.

Richard Moore's campaign wrote the State Board of Elections on
Thursday asking it to investigate a radio commercial sponsored by
the National Education Association. The ad doesn't tell listeners
to vote for rival Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue but praises her support
for education.

The Moore campaign said the ad crosses the line and asks the
board to call it illegal. An NEA spokesman said the ad is lawful.

Perdue's campaign calls a Moore TV ad a "smear" because it
mentions a campaign finance investigation related to contributions
she and other candidates received during the 1990s. Perdue had to
return the money, and a prosecutor said she didn't knowingly
receive illegal contributions.