Gov. Bev Perdue shocked some political observers Thursday by announcing that she will not seek re-election in a swing state crucial to Democrats’ political fortunes.
Perdue’s announcement came just two weeks before the filing period begins and could lead to a scramble for Democratic candidates to quickly assemble a campaign organization and raise funds. Republican Pat McCrory, the former Charlotte mayor who narrowly lost to Perdue in 2008, will officially kick off his gubernatorial campaign Tuesday.
The Democratic governor has clashed repeatedly with the N.C. General Assembly’s first Republican majority since 1898, issuing a record 16 vetoes and publicly sparring about the extension of a temporary sales tax and cuts to education spending.
“The thing I care about most right now is making sure that our schools and schoolchildren do not continue to be the victims of shortsighted legislative actions and severe budget cuts inflicted by a legislative majority with the wrong priorities,” Perdue said in a statement.
A poll released by Public Policy Polling, a Democratic firm based in Raleigh, earlier this month found McCrory leading Perdue by a 52 to 41 percent margin.
Ferrel Guillory, a UNC journalism professor and expert on Southern politics, said the economy has loomed large in voters’ assessment of Perdue’s performance. The state’s unemployment rate — currently 9.9 percent — has remained in double digits for much of Perdue’s tenure.
“The sour economy and the clash over priorities with the legislature sapped her of the ability to win public support by a list of accomplishments,” Guillory said.
Former members of Perdue’s campaign staff were also indicted on charges of violating election laws recently, including false campaign finance reports.
Perdue’s campaign reported having $1.34 million cash on hand as of mid-2011, compared to about $940,000 for McCrory’s campaign. Campaign finance reports for the second half of 2011 are due today.
