Raleigh, N.C. — State Treasurer Richard Moore's gubernatorial campaign on Thursday filed a complaint with the State Board of Elections over radio advertisements aired by the National Education Association that praise Moore's main Democratic rival, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue.

Moore's campaign contends that the ads violate North Carolina law, which forbids a professional association using its general dues on behalf of a political candidate. The NEA maintains the ad is "grassroots lobbying," which is allowed.

“This is a political ad, pure and simple,” Julie White, Moore’s deputy campaign manager, said in a statement. “Claiming it is ‘grassroots lobbying’ insults everyone’s intelligence and a breaks state campaign finance laws.”

The campaign asked the elections board to demand the NEA stop running the ads immediately. The organization has committed to spending $360,000 running the ad over the next two weeks.