HICKORY, N.C.,None — Gov. Bev Perdue’s decision to not seek re-election is in sharp contrast to her assurance just two months ago that she intended to be a two-term governor.
Some Democratic insiders had hinted in recent weeks that Perdue was thinking about stepping aside. Last November, state Rep. Bill Faison, an Orange County Democrat, said the Democratic governor's office was being distracted by the investigation surrounding undisclosed campaign flights. His comments came shortly after three people linked to Perdue’s 2008 gubernatorial campaign were charged with felonies by a Wake County grand jury.
Even though Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby said he didn't expect Perdue to be charged and that she wasn't the focus of his investigation, Faison said, "Clearly, the DA is saying that they're still investigating this matter, so it's not over.
"Clearly the governor's office is focused on those investigations and the consequences of them. And the focus ought to be on the people. So I think ultimately the governor will do the right thing and decide not to run. I don't believe you'll ever see her file."
Faison did not rule out running for governor himself if his prediction came true.
However, Perdue’s campaign vehemently denied she would walk away after one term.
"The governor is running for re-election. Period," retorted Fiona Conroy, Perdue’s campaign manager. "We are organizing our campaign team, and we are preparing for the campaign ahead.”
The comments from Faison and Conroy were reported by The Associated Press.
The AP said in November that Perdue had informally announced she was seeking re-election and had been raising campaign money during 2011.
But with the filing period for candidates coming in mid-February, Perdue made her announcement Thursday that she is abandoning her campaign.
She released this statement through Conroy and her campaign web site late Thursday morning:
“Like the rest of the nation, North Carolina has been facing difficult economic times – demanding many difficult decisions. I have had to make painful budget cuts in important areas of government. But I believe I have approached this challenge in a way that is consistent with my values and the values that have made our state a wonderful place to live and raise a family. I have spent my tenure in office – and, in fact, my adult lifetime – fighting for things that I care deeply about. And as anyone who knows me will tell you, I do not back down from tough fights.
“But I understand this: 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. 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 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. Therefore, I am announcing today that I have decided not to seek re-election. I hope this decision will open the door to an honest and bipartisan effort to help our schools.
“To those of you who have supported me throughout my years of public service, I will always be grateful for the confidence you have placed in me. In my remaining months in office, I look forward to continuing to fight for the priorities we share, by putting North Carolinians back to work and investing in our children's future. To my children and grandchildren, and especially to my husband Bob, thank you for always being there for me – especially as I've weighed this difficult decision.
“Thank you all, and God bless North Carolina.”
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
“I am very saddened to learn of Governor Perdue's decision not to seek re-election. Governor Perdue has been a champion for the working class, for public education, for business, and for seniors, families and children. She has worked tirelessly for our citizens to counter the nonsensical, obstructionist, and secretive agenda of the Republican-led legislature. On behalf of the more than 30,000 registered Democrats in Catawba County, I thank her for her hard work, dedication and sacrifice for the benefit of all North Carolinians. I hope that she will continue to seek and find new ways to serve this great state she loves.”
— Elizabeth Glynn, Chair, Catawba County Democratic Party
I’m very saddened (by the governor’s decision). She has been an excellent governor who has brought thousands of jobs to North Carolina. She’s a champion of education … and she has served North Carolina with honesty and dignity.”
— Cliff Moone, 10th Congressional District Democratic chairman
"I know that this was an intensely personal choice for her. While we are disappointed, we understand and respect her decision. Make no mistake about it, the Democratic Party will have no trouble selecting a strong gubernatorial candidate and we are confident we will win the governor's race next November."
— David Parker, North Carolina Democratic Party chairman
“Governor Perdue deserves the state’s sincere gratitude for her many years of public service. During times of extraordinary economic stress and budgetary pressures, she continues to vigorously pursue priorities near and dear to the hearts of generations of North Carolinians, including expanding and improving education at every level and a tireless pursuit of new businesses and jobs for the state.
“I am especially heartened to hear she will devote her remaining time in office fighting to ensure that the children of North Carolina receive the affordable, quality education mandated by our state constitution.
“The Governor’s office plays an important role in resisting those in Raleigh who wish to abandon North Carolina’s well-earned reputation as a state with its eyes firmly and pragmatically on the future. Whether the issue is access to the ballot box; a commonsense jobs-creating business climate; robust support for our military and veterans and their families; or the guarantee of a first-rate education, the Governor’s office often provides a critical moderating counterweight to the backward-looking forces of extremism elsewhere in state government. North Carolinians will surely keep this in mind as they choose the next governor in November.”
— US Sen. Kay Hagan, D-NC
“Bev Perdue has just done North Carolina and national Democrats a tremendous favor by bowing out of a governor’s race she had little chance of winning. By getting out of the way, Perdue allows state Democrats to nominate a candidate with a better chance of defeating Republican Pat McCrory — or at least a candidate who won’t serve as a drag on the Democratic ticket in the host state of the Democratic National Convention. Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx comes to mind, for example.
“Democrats should thank not only Gov. Perdue but also fellow Democrat and state Rep. Bill Faison, who was one of the few prominent members of his party to step forward weeks ago to question her political effectiveness. Faison may not end up as the 2012 nominee, but his willingness to say in public what many Democrats believed in private was both courageous and prescient.”
— John Hood, president of the John Locke Foundation and publisher of CarolinaJournal.com.
“Gov. Beverly Perdue is a stalwart friend of justice. With her strong voice and her steady veto pen, she has stood on the side of justice against the frontal assault against minorities' rights by the ultra conservatives in the General Assembly. She has taken seriously her oath to uphold the Constitution, which requires those in government to govern for the good of the whole, to protect and strengthen public education, to create economic vitality, to protect civil rights, to ensure equal protection and racial justice under the law.
Gov. Perdue has remained true to her love of all our children and their fullest development. When she had to choose between what was good for North Carolina children and all of its citizens, and what was good for her own career, she took the road of principle. This is how history will record of the legacy of the first of many women governors we will have. The civil rights community prays she will remain strong in the remaining days in office, and that she will continue to fight for the good of the whole … for the good of all North Carolinians.”
— Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, president
Mrs. Amina Turner, executive director
North Carolina Conference, NAACP
“Bev Perdue rode into the governor’s mansion on the coattails of Barack Obama and now that he is doing so poorly in North Carolina and across our nation, she realized there was no chance of being re-elected. Barack Obama’s failed economic policies and broken promises are hurting our nation with every day that passes and with Bev Perdue bailing on North Carolinians, the path to 270 electoral votes just got much longer. No matter who emerges from the long, tough primary between the Democratic candidates ahead, North Carolinians know they cannot afford another four years of the Barack Obama economy.”
— Rick Wiley, Republican National Committee political director
“It’s now clear that the past four years of having a Democratic governor in North Carolina have been a failure. North Carolina’s lost ground to its neighbors, and now has the worst unemployment rate in the region. It’s never been more clear that North Carolina needs a Republican governor who will bring fresh ideas and a new perspective to the governor’s office.
“As governor, Bev Perdue continues to set the Democrat agenda in Raleigh, which now includes a massive, job-crushing sales tax hike. No matter how hard they try, whoever emerges as the Democratic Party’s successor to Bev Perdue won’t be able to run from the Democrats’ record of higher taxes and disappointing job losses.”
— Phil Cox, Republican Governors Association executive director
“As the first woman to serve as North Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor and Governor, Bev Perdue has never been afraid to break barriers. For over 25 years, she has fought for the people of the Tar Heel State – working to transform the state’s public schools, improve the health care system, protect and attract jobs for members of the military and their families, and create the jobs of the future. Michelle and I want to congratulate Governor Perdue on her historic tenure, and we wish Bev and her family well in the future.”
— President Barack Obama