Perdue says no to gubernatorial re-election bid
by Lauren K. Ohnesorge
Gov. Beverly Perdue announced Thursday she will not be seeking
a second term, leaving Democrats without a candidate and potential Republican candidate Pat
McCrory, whose website indicates he will announce his candidacy next week, without an
opponent.
“We live in highly partisan times, where some people seem more worried about scoring political points than working together to address the real challenges our state faces,” Perdue said in a statement. “And it is clear to me that my race for re-election will only further politicize the fight to adequately fund our schools. A re-election campaign in this already divisive environment will make it more difficult to find any bipartisan solutions.”
The announcement came as a surprise to Rep. Jonathan Jordan (R-Ashe and Watauga), who said Perdue had expressed her intention to run “over and over and over again.”
“I think she realized her constant proposals of increasing taxes were not the proposals North Carolina supported,” Jordan said.
Perdue said her priority was protecting schools from “shortsighted legislative actions and severe budget cuts.”
“Therefore, I am announcing today that I have decided not to seek re-election,” she said. “I hope this decision will open the door to an honest and bipartisan effort to help our schools.”
She thanked her supporters and called the decision “difficult.”
With the impending May primary, the announcement leaves North Carolina without an announced Democrat contender.
“I think that it's going to highlight the policies that have been in place in the past over this administration and force the Democrats to engage in a lengthy primary battle and have to distance themselves from what they've been doing,” Jordan said.
Local Democrat activist Jerry Williamson said the full impact of Perdue's decision won't be immediately realized.
“A stronger candidate for governor could up-end all expectations,” he said. “And a strong Democratic primary for governor is going to make the defeat of Amendment One (legislation aimed at defining marriage as between one man and one woman) much more likely.”
Perdue's announcement comes a week after Perdue pledged to offer a spring budget that would seek a sales tax increase for education.
Perdue's longtime friend Margaret “Pinky” Hayden, a Blowing Rock resident, said Perdue notified her Thursday morning of her intent not to run.
“As her friend, I am glad she is not running,” Hayden said, adding that it will be nice for Perdue to have the time to “slow down and smell the roses.”
Hayden blamed a partisan political climate.
“(Perdue) knows it will only get worse, unfortunately,” Hayden said. “I am convinced she has done as well or better than anyone else could have. Her honesty, capable leadership, experience and dedication to our state will remain unmatched.”
Jordan said the upcoming gubernatorial election will be an interesting one.
Among possible Democrat contenders is Orange County Democrat Bill Faison, who has been touring the state to speak on a plan to raise taxes and hire back state employees. Faison told the News & Observer he would make an announcement next week about his election plans.
Elected in 2008, Perdue is the first female governor in North Carolina. Perdue has been a frequent visitor to the High Country during the past few years, coming twice to talk about Appalachian State University's Solar Homestead Project, as well as touring the new high school.
“We live in highly partisan times, where some people seem more worried about scoring political points than working together to address the real challenges our state faces,” Perdue said in a statement. “And it is clear to me that my race for re-election will only further politicize the fight to adequately fund our schools. A re-election campaign in this already divisive environment will make it more difficult to find any bipartisan solutions.”
The announcement came as a surprise to Rep. Jonathan Jordan (R-Ashe and Watauga), who said Perdue had expressed her intention to run “over and over and over again.”
“I think she realized her constant proposals of increasing taxes were not the proposals North Carolina supported,” Jordan said.
Perdue said her priority was protecting schools from “shortsighted legislative actions and severe budget cuts.”
“Therefore, I am announcing today that I have decided not to seek re-election,” she said. “I hope this decision will open the door to an honest and bipartisan effort to help our schools.”
She thanked her supporters and called the decision “difficult.”
With the impending May primary, the announcement leaves North Carolina without an announced Democrat contender.
“I think that it's going to highlight the policies that have been in place in the past over this administration and force the Democrats to engage in a lengthy primary battle and have to distance themselves from what they've been doing,” Jordan said.
Local Democrat activist Jerry Williamson said the full impact of Perdue's decision won't be immediately realized.
“A stronger candidate for governor could up-end all expectations,” he said. “And a strong Democratic primary for governor is going to make the defeat of Amendment One (legislation aimed at defining marriage as between one man and one woman) much more likely.”
Perdue's announcement comes a week after Perdue pledged to offer a spring budget that would seek a sales tax increase for education.
Perdue's longtime friend Margaret “Pinky” Hayden, a Blowing Rock resident, said Perdue notified her Thursday morning of her intent not to run.
“As her friend, I am glad she is not running,” Hayden said, adding that it will be nice for Perdue to have the time to “slow down and smell the roses.”
Hayden blamed a partisan political climate.
“(Perdue) knows it will only get worse, unfortunately,” Hayden said. “I am convinced she has done as well or better than anyone else could have. Her honesty, capable leadership, experience and dedication to our state will remain unmatched.”
Jordan said the upcoming gubernatorial election will be an interesting one.
Among possible Democrat contenders is Orange County Democrat Bill Faison, who has been touring the state to speak on a plan to raise taxes and hire back state employees. Faison told the News & Observer he would make an announcement next week about his election plans.
Elected in 2008, Perdue is the first female governor in North Carolina. Perdue has been a frequent visitor to the High Country during the past few years, coming twice to talk about Appalachian State University's Solar Homestead Project, as well as touring the new high school.