Governor Perdue talks with tornado victims in North Carolina. Photo: Perdue's office via Flickr.
By Lois Alley, The Raleigh Telegram
RALEIGH – Several news outlets including The Washington Post and the Associated Press are now reporting that North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue will not seek the Democratic nomination for governor later this year.
The news was first reported in a Washington Post politics blog called “The Fix” by Chris Cillizza who said that he received the news from two different sources. The news has not been confirmed with Bev Perdue’s office, but the Post article says that the governor will be making an announcement later today.
The news comes on the heels of a press conference last week by the governor that she would like to raise the state sales tax by 3/4ths of a cent to raise $750 million for educational needs in the state.
Perdue had been trailing in polls against her likely opponent former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, who lost to Perdue in the last election. However, the dynamics of the race could change if other Democrats go head to head against McCrory. Some Democratic candidates including NC Attorney General Roy Cooper could prove to be more popular matches in the race, should they choose to enter.
Democratic NC State Representative Bill Faison said that he was going to challenge Perdue in the primary anyway, which may have contributed to Perdue’s decision. The article in the Washington Post said that Perdue evidently “labored” over whether to run or not.
Check back for updates as more information comes available. ::
