The controversy over Wake County school board member Debra Goldman's 2010 police statements about fellow board member Chris Malone are turning into a statewide issue.

As noted in today's article, both major North Carolina gubernatorial candidates are speaking out about Goldman, the GOP candidate for state auditor. Republican candidate Pat McCrory is defending Goldman while Democratic candidate Walter Dalton is accusing McCrory of overlooking "Republican scandals."

In addition, state Republican officials are still publicly backing Goldman while behind the scenes distancing themselves from her.

About 35 people braved the morning drizzle to hear several speakers send state lawmakers a message: stick to conservative tea party principals that include cutting spending and less regulation or we will send you back home in the next election.

"The people of North Carolina have nothing to give you to spend and to waste," said Frank Ragsdale of Raleigh. "We must have a smaller and less intrusive government."

The rally was sponsored by the Moccasin Creek Minutemen, a two-year-old, 150 member group. While the turnout was small, it did draw support from folks as far away as Asheville, who held signs saying "TAXED ENOUGH ALREADY."

The crowd was in an optimistic mood with the General Assembly changing over from Democrat to Republican. When N.C. GOP Chairman Robin Hayes spoke, one asked him to comment on the "monumental change of power."

Hayes called it a "historical moment," and he told the crowd that new House Speaker Thom Tillis and new Senate leader Phil Berger have clearly laid out what they stand for, so it will be easy for conservatives to see if the two leaders practice what they preach.