After suffering historic defeats in the last election, N.C. Democrats are looking to shift political momentum in their favor by focusing on education policy.
Micah Beasley, spokesman for the N.C. Democratic Party, said Democrats can make significant gains in the midterm elections in 2014.
“Depending upon the size of the gains, Democrats will likely be within striking distance in 2016 to take one or both chambers of General Assembly back,” Beasley said in an email.
Democrats should stress changes made by state Republicans in the last two years, including phasing out teacher’s tenure, decreasing teacher’s bonuses and halting increases to teachers’ salaries, said Gary Pearce, a Democratic state political consultant.
N.C. Senate Minority Whip Josh Stein (D-Wake) agreed that education will be the main issue of 2014.
“I think people are very distressed at what they have done to public education and the incredible lack of respect they have for teachers,” he said.
Stein has said that he wants to run for attorney general in 2016, should current Attorney General Roy Cooper run to unseat Gov. Pat McCrory.
He said the party will look to recruit candidates in winnable districts for the midterm elections.
“The best candidates are those that represent constituencies of that district,” Stein said. “They have an understanding of the voters and what the concerns and passion of the direction they want to take the state and bring new direction to North Carolina.”