WNCN political reporter Kim Gernardo is leaving the Raleigh-Durham NBC affiliate for a job as the director of communications for North Carolina governor Pat McCrory.

Gernardo has worked at WNCN for 14 years. She will begin in her new role on Wednesday.

“She has made a mark in this community by making it her business to know the Legislature inside and out,” news director Andrea Parquet-Taylor said in a statement. “We wish Kim well in her new endeavor.”

Jim Romenesko points out that Gerado sat down with McCrory for a one-on-one interview two weeks ago.

WNCN, the NBC-affiliate in Raleigh, will host a Democratic gubernatorial debate tonight.

The hourlong debate, presented in partnership with the League of Women Voters of North Carolina, will be moderated by political reporter Kim Gernardo. It will air at 8 p.m. on WNCN and stream live on the station’s website.

“Our commitment is to provide voters with as much information about where each candidate stands on the issues that impact their lives on a daily basis so that they can make smart and informed decisions,”  news director Andrea Parquet-Taylor said in a statement. Read more