Governor Beverly Purdue shocked the North Carolina Democratic Party, and many other North Carolinian's, when she announced that she was not running for re-election in 2012 late last week.
"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," Purdue announced in a statement released last Thursday.
Her announcement has sent the Democratic Party into a scramble to find a candidate to run against Pat McCory, the former Mayor of Charlotte. The first female governor in North Carolina history, Purdue narrowly beat McCory in 2008. Many attributed President Obama's success in the Tar Heel State as one of the contributing factors to Purdue's win.
Her decision to not run has also increased the stress level of the North Carolina Democratic Party because North Carolina is projected to be a very important state in the 2012 Presidential Election. President Obama surprisingly won in 2008, the first time the state was won by a Democrat since the 1976 election. In addition, the Democratic National Convention will take place in Charlotte later this year.
Democrats Look for a New Candidate
Purdue's decision has opened the door wide open for other Democrats to throw their hat into the race for the Democratic Nomination. Lieutenant Governor Walton Dalton and Representative Bill Faison D-Orange have already announced that they will seek the Democratic Nomination. Attorney General Roy Cooper and State Treasurer Janet Cowell have withdrawn have publicly declared that they will not run.
Congressman Brad Miller and Mike McIntyre and former Congressman Bill Etheridge have expressed interest in running. Additionally, state Senator Dan Blue and former Treasurer Richard Moore, who ran against Purdue in 2008 for the Democratic nomination, could possibly enter the race.
Bowles Declines
To the dismay of Democrats this morning, the most viable candidate against McCory decided not to run. Erskine Bowles, the former President of the University of North Carolina school system, announced that he would not seek the Democratic nomination.
"I've spent a lot of time trying to think what is the right thing for me to do," Bowles stated. " I don't think anyone questions my love for North Carolina or my efforts to make our State a better place to live, work, or raise a family. I've done my best in this regard and I plan to continue to do so."
A statewide poll published by Public Policy Polling earlier this week showed that McCory leads Lt. Gov. Dalton and Rep. Faison by 19 and 15 percentage points respectively. Bowles, however, would have been in a statistical dead heat with McCory if he had decided to run with a 42 to 44 percent margin.
Bowles's decision has once again left the Democratic nomination for NC governor wide open.
McCory Sticks to the Same Game-plan
Pat McCory officially announced his candidacy for the Republican Gubernatorial nomination this ast Tuesday. At this time he does not face any opposition from fellow Republicans. Although, McCory is still awaiting his challenger in the general election, he has said that his game-plan will not change.
"Our schedule has not changed. Our message has not changed and our strategy will not change." McCory said. "This scenario is one that we potentially saw happening, so it did not come as a huge surprise because we knew she's been in trouble for various reasons, and part of it was me being a strong candidate."
Regardless of his opponent, McCory firmly believes that he is the best man for the job and for North Carolina. He believes that the Democrats rule in North Carolina under former Governor Mike Easily, and now Beverly Purdue, has significantly damaged the economy. Meanwhile, McCory has the advantage of a $2.6 million dollar war chest--with $2 million in cash on hand--and the fact that Democrats will spend three months fighting to win votes and campaign donations while he'll keep accumulating money and support.
Gabriella's Take
Needless to say, I was shocked one week ago today when Governor Purdue announced that she would not be running. I knew that Purdue would face a tough challenge against McCory, but I felt that she was well prepared. She had raised around $2 million dollars for her re-election, and she had stuck steadfastly to her beliefs even if she disagreed vehemently with the Republican Legislature.
The US economy has been improving, albeit slowly, over the past couple of months and President Obama's approval ratings have improved. In addition, the Republican field this year has been underwhelming to many, including Republicans. Also, let us not forget the ever helpful incumbency advantage. People may not like her, but more likely than not they would know her name on the ballot.
I'll be honest, my initial reaction when she decided not to run is that she is that she is hiding something. Here is this woman, who has worked her whole life to achieve something, and one day she just decides to not go after it anymore? No, that's not right. Although, I do not always agree with Governor Purdue, I have great respect for her as a woman and as our governor.
There are a variety of reasons why Purdue decided not to run. Maybe she saw the writing on the wall and realized that Democrats had the chance of doing better without her. Maybe she was tired of fighting with the Republican Legislature. Or maybe she is telling the truth in saying that she wants to de-politicize the fight over education. My gut tells me that it is most likely a combination of all of these things and quite possibly some other things that we could have never guessed.
Let the race begin.
Credits
http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/story/10665601/
http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/01/31/1818715/perdue-out-dems-like-bowles.html
http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/story/10647166/
http://www.270towin.com/states/North_Carolina
http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/blogpost/10678711/
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