Democrats in North Carolina got a one-two punch yesterday as both Congressman Brad Miller and Governor Bev Perdue announced their respective retirements.
We've had speculation about whether Miller might be interested in the Governor's office or whether Elaine Marshall would be interested (two high-profile North Carolinians) and at this point Elaine Marshall has declined as she is still interested in being Secretary of State.
A few minutes ago I received an email from Lt. Governor Walter Dalton that he's in and going to run across Pat McCrory (T-bagger).
My understanding is that the filing deadline is in February, so there isn't a lot of time for us to:
1) come up with credible candidates
2) make it a state-wide fight
It is VITALLY important that we elect a Democrat to the Governor's Office. In 2010, for the first time since Reconstruction†, the Republicans control both halves of the NC Legislature. They Gerrymandered us pretty badly in 2010 and unless we can stop them from taking the Governorship we're going to resemble Georgia or even worse: South Carolina.
I'm not endorsing Dalton yet (as I want to learn more about him and see who else declares), but it is imperative that we hold the line and somehow take back parts of the Legislature, too.
Hopefully Obama will have coattails so we can try to undo the down-ticket disasters of 2010, so the burden lies upon us. McCrory wants to dismantle education (among other things) in North Carolina and we really don't need a Walker clone down here in NC.
Lt. Gov. Dalton already has an ActBlue page, but like I said I'm waiting to see who else enters the race.
†Reconstruction: Also called "Radical Reconstruction." That period from 1865 to 1876 where the South was occupied territory following the Civil War. Following that time, Republicans were not highly thought of in the South. That didn't start to change until the Nixon Era and the "Southern Strategy."
Here's Dalton's announcement:
Join Walter's campaign to move North Carolina forward.
As I travel across our state as Lieutenant Governor talking with people, I hear a lot of concerns and I realize people are frustrated. I understand that what they want is an opportunity to work and provide for their families. However, I have seen up close their determination and their hope for a brighter future.
I am asking you to join me now in equal determination to move our state forward. A brighter future depends on creating jobs and maintaining our historic commitment to quality education. After all, education is in North Carolina’s DNA – from the first public university, to the best community college system, to innovations in our public schools and investments in early childhood education. Education is what builds a stronger economy and better opportunities for future generations.
But North Carolina can’t move forward if we are pointed in the wrong direction. Pat McCrory and the Republican leadership are putting our state on the wrong path by cutting teachers, reducing scholarships and abandoning economic development. They are doing lasting damage to our state. They are wrong.
Stand with me against Pat McCrory and the GOP's anti-education agenda
that is putting North Carolina's future in peril.
Together we can change the course. I’ve dedicated my career to improving education at all levels and making North Carolina a great place to do business. I have led efforts to pair businesses and schools to prepare our future workforce and I’ve fought to fund training programs for displaced workers. Because of Pat McCrory and the Republican leadership, education – and our future economy – are under attack.
That's why I announced yesterday that I am running to be your next Governor and I need your support. We need to get North Carolina back on the right track, toward a future with better jobs, a stronger economy, and a recommitment to quality education.
Lucille and I love this state and we understand tough political races. I am the only candidate who has run and won statewide and I look forward to waging an aggressive campaign. Elections are not easy but this race is important. As a state we must decide the direction in which we will turn. With this campaign , I choose to look ahead to a brighter future. I choose progress. I choose a future where public education is the foundation of our economy. Please join us in this fight.
Sincerely,
[signed Walter Dalton]
Now I have to find out more about him. According to the sitemap on his page, it was put together at 3:59pm yesterday. Fast action. Then he had to get the mailing list. Gotta respect that.