Bev Perdue
Bev Perdue | |
---|---|
![]() | |
73rdGovernor of North Carolina | |
In office January 10, 2009 – January 5, 2013 | |
Lieutenant | Walter Dalton |
Preceded by | Mike Easley |
Succeeded by | Pat McCrory |
32ndLieutenant Governor of North Carolina | |
In office January 6, 2001 – January 10, 2009 | |
Governor | Mike Easley |
Preceded by | Dennis Wicker |
Succeeded by | Walter Dalton |
Member of theNorth Carolina Senate from the3rddistrict | |
In office January 3, 1991 – January 3, 2001 | |
Preceded by | Bill Barker |
Succeeded by | Scott Thomas |
Member of theNorth Carolina House of Representatives from the 3rd district | |
In office 1987–1991 | |
Preceded by | Chris S. Barker, Jr. |
Succeeded by | William L. Wainwright |
Personal details | |
Born | Beverly Marlene Moore January 14, 1947 Grundy, Virginia,U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouses | Gary Perdue
(m.1970;div.1994)Bob Eaves (m.1997) |
Children | 2 |
Education | University of Kentucky(BA) University of Florida(MEd,PhD) |
Beverly Eaves Perdue[1](bornBeverly Marlene Moore;January 14, 1947)[2]is an American businesswoman, politician, and member of theDemocratic Partywho served as the73rd governorofNorth Carolinafrom 2009 to 2013. She was the first and currently to date the onlyfemale governorof North Carolina.
Perdue started her political career in the 1980s, serving in theNorth Carolina House of Representatives.She then served five terms in theNorth Carolina Senate,before she was elected as the 32ndLieutenant Governor of North Carolina.Perdue waselectedto the office of Governor of North Carolina in 2008 against Charlotte MayorPat McCrory.
On January 26, 2012, facing sinking approval ratings, Perdue announced that she would not seek reelection in the2012 gubernatorial election.[3]She left office in January 2013. She became the first Democratic Governor sinceRobert W. Scottto have served a single term, and is currently the only Democratic Governor in the state's history to not seek re-election.
Early life and education
[edit]Beverly Marlene Moore[4]was born in 1947 inGrundy, Virginia,the daughter of Alfred P. and Irene Morefield Moore.[4]Her father was a coal miner and co-founder of a coal mining company, who went on to become CEO of a large utility company.[5]She earned aB.A.degree in history in 1969 from theUniversity of Kentucky,where she was a member ofKappa Kappa Gamma,as well as aM.Ed.degree in community college administration in 1974 and aPh.D.,degree in Education Administration in 1976, both from theUniversity of Florida.[6]
North Carolina legislature
[edit]Perdue, aDemocrat,served in theNorth Carolina House of Representativesfrom 1987 to 1991, and in theNorth Carolina Senatefrom 1991 to 2001. She represented Craven, Lenoir and Pamlico counties in the House and Craven, Carteret and Pamlico in the Senate.[7]
Elections
[edit]In 1990, she ran for the State Senate in North Carolina's 3rd Senate District, vacated by retiring State Senator Bill Barker (D-Pamlico County).[8]In 1996, she won re-election against Republican Holt Faircloth, CarteretCounty Commissioner,60%-40%.[9][10][11]In 1998, she won re-election against Republican George Hipps 60%-40%.[12]
Tenure
[edit]During her last three terms in the Senate, she served as co-chair of the Appropriations Committee[13][14]While she was in office, the General Assembly increased teacher pay and passedGovernor Hunt'sExcellent Schools Act andSmart Start.Additionally, she led the debate that created North Carolina's Clean Water Management Trust Fund.[5]She fought for more benefits for senior citizens.[15]
Committee assignments
[edit]She served in the House Judiciary Committee.[16]She was Chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee.[17]
Lieutenant governor
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Mike_Easley_inauguration_4.jpg/220px-Mike_Easley_inauguration_4.jpg)
In 2000, she defeatedRepublicanBetsy Cochrane for the lieutenant governor's seat, becoming North Carolina's first female lieutenant governor; she was re-elected in2004.[5]As lieutenant governor, Perdue's most significant act was casting the tie-breaking vote that established theNorth Carolina Education Lottery.[5]
2008 gubernatorial election
[edit]Perdue announced her 2008 candidacy for governor on October 1, 2007, at her hometown,New Bern, North Carolina.On October 22, 2007,pro-choiceEmily's Listendorsed her campaign.[18][19] On May 6, 2008, Perdue won the Democratic nomination for governor, defeating State TreasurerRichard H. MooreandDennis Nielsen.[20]
Perdue raised $15 million for the general election and ran ads against her Republican opponent, Charlotte MayorPat McCrory,criticizing him for not being tough enough onillegal immigration.[21] Her 2008 gubernatorial campaign was under both state and federal investigation for donation irregularities and was fined $30,000 in 2010.[22]Despite a national Democratic tide and Perdue's fundraising edge,[23]in the general election campaign McCrory led Perdue at first; Perdue slowly gained as the Democratic candidate.[24]Perdue and McCrory remained close, with the two often polling in a statistical tie[23]in what was the closest race for governor in the nation.[21]Perdue ran slightly behind her opponent in polls released the week before the election.[23]Pundits speculated that Perdue was hurt by current Democratic GovernorMike Easley's decreasing popularity and McCrory's efforts to tag her as part of thePolitical corruptioninRaleigh:consultants mentioned Perdue's "difficulty of being the candidate of continuity in a change election."[24]
While McCrory received the endorsement of most major newspapers in the state (which typically endorse Democrats),[25][26][27][28][29][30]Perdue received the endorsement of actor and directorAndy Griffith,who filmed a campaign ad on her behalf.[31]
Perdue defeated McCrory on November 4, 2008, 50.3% to 46.9%.[32]
Late reporting fine
[edit]In late 2010, Perdue's 2008 campaign came under State and Federal investigation for the late reporting of 41 private flights.[33]The campaign was fined $30,000 in August 2010 by the State Board of Elections for the late reporting of flights which were discovered after a 2009 self-audit, but that body declined to investigate further after deciding that the Perdue Campaign did not intentionally violate the law.[22]
Governor of North Carolina
[edit]Perdue was sworn in as the 73rdGovernor of North Carolinaon January 10, 2009.[34]
- Political positions
Perdue's Senate record followed the lines of the Democratic caucus.[5]As a member of the Board of Community Colleges, she voted against allowing illegal immigrants to attend the schools even if they graduated from a North Carolina high school.[5]She had previously said she would admit every high school graduate to community collegetuition-free.[5]In late February and early March 2009, she announced that $93 million from the educational lottery would be used to ensure there is money available for the state's day-to-day operations.[35]
In her first use of thevetopower, Gov. Perdue vetoed a bill that would have made various documents that lawmakers use in drafting legislation confidential.[36]
She also vetoed a bill that would have required voters to show photo ID before casting their ballots.
She vetoed a bill that would have allowedfrackingin North Carolina. The veto was overridden in July 2012.[37]
Perdue signedSusie's Lawin 2010, which authorizes up to ten months in jail for convicted perpetrators ofcruelty to animals.[38]
- Remarks about suspending Congressional elections
On September 27, 2011, Perdue introduced the idea of suspending theCongressionalelections. She told theCaryRotary Club,"You have to have more ability from Congress, I think, to work together and to get over the partisan bickering and focus on fi xing things. I think we ought to suspend, perhaps, elections for Congress for two years and just tell them we won't hold it against them, whatever decisions they make, to just let them help this country recover. I really hope that someone can agree with me on that. The one good thing about Raleigh is that for so many years we worked across party lines. It's a little bit more contentious now but it's not impossible to try to do what's right in this state. You want people who don't worry about the next election." Herpress secretarylater claimed that the statement was intended as a joke.[39]Audio of the speech was subsequently released.[40]
- Hurricane Irene
Governor Perdue oversaw the state's preparation and response toHurricane Irenein 2011[41]It was seen by some political observers as a defining moment of her tenure.[42]
- Eugenics compensation
Gov. Perdue issued the following statement regarding the final recommendations approved by the Governor's Task Force on Eugenics Compensation:
"Thank you to the devoted members of this task force for months of diligent, careful and thoughtful work to address one of the most difficult and emotionally wrenching issues in our state's history.
While no amount of money will ever make up for the fact that government officials deprived North Carolinians, mostly women, of the possibility of having children—and officials did so, in most cases, without the victims' consent or against their will—we must do something. I support the task force's compensation proposal. I also agree that we should establish a permanent exhibit so that this shameful period is never forgotten. I look forward to reviewing the details of the task force's recommendations. "[43]
North Carolina's Republican controlled Senate removed such compensation for sterilization victims from the state's budget that the General Assembly passed after overriding the Governor's veto.[44]
- Funding education
Gov. Bev Perdue called on the General Assembly to temporarily restore a fraction of a penny to the state sales tax to reverse deep and unnecessary cuts to education.[45]
- Pre-K expansion
North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue issued Executive Order No. 128 authorizing the expansion of the NC Pre-K program to serve up to 6,300 additional children by January 1, 2013. An estimated 1,000 of those children can begin to be served immediately in Pre-K classrooms across the state.
"Through good economic times and bad, North Carolina's enduring commitment has been to educate our children. Now more than ever, as we sit poised for an economic recovery, any delay in preparing our kids to be tomorrow's workforce is simply unacceptable," Gov. Perdue said. "After the General Assembly cut early education programs by 20 percent, thousands of our youngest students were cut out of the Pre-K classroom. Today we can welcome many of them in."[46]
- Wilmington 10
Governor Perdue granted full pardons of innocence to theWilmington 10on December 31, 2012. "These convictions were tainted by naked racism and represent an ugly stain on North Carolina's criminal justice system that cannot be allowed to stand any longer," said Gov. Beverly Perdue. "Justice demands that this stain finally be removed." Perdue said that among the key evidence that led her to grant pardons of innocence were recently discovered notes from the prosecutor who picked the jury. The notes showed the prosecutor preferred white jurors who might be members of theKu Klux Klanand one black juror was described as an "Uncle Tomtype. "Perdue also pointed to the federal court's ruling that the prosecutor knew his star witness lied on the witness stand. That witness and other witnesses recanted a few years after the trial.[47]
Personal life
[edit]She is anEpiscopalian.[4][6]Before entering public service, Perdue worked as a public school teacher, as director of geriatric services at a community hospital in her hometown of New Bern, and earned a Ph.D. in Education Administration.[48]
Perdue lives inNew Bern.She has been married to Bob Eaves since 1997 and has two grown sons, Garrett (b. 1976) and Emmett (b. 1979), from her previous marriage to Gary Perdue, which lasted from 1970 to 1994.[4]She continues to use "Perdue" as her last name, using her current married name as her middle name.
Post-governorship
[edit]In Spring 2013, she served as a Resident Fellow at theHarvard Institute of Politics.[49]Following her Harvard fellowship, she started an education consulting business.[50]
In August 2013, Perdue became a Distinguished Visiting Fellow atDuke University'sSanford School of Public Policy,where she worked with faculty and students and also served as an adviser for Duke's Center for Child and Family Policy.[51]
Perdue was named to the Governing Board of theNational Assessment of Educational Progressin 2017 and re-appointed in 2021. She became the board's first female chair in 2018 and was re-elected to the chair for a second time in 2021.[52]
Electoral history
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Beverly Perdue | 2,146,083 | 50.27% | ||
Republican | Pat McCrory | 2,001,114 | 46.88% | ||
Libertarian | Michael Munger | 121,585 | 2.85% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Beverly Perdue | 840,342 | 56.21% | ||
Democratic | Richard H. Moore | 594.028 | 39.23% | ||
Democratic | Dennis Nielsen | 60.628 | 4.06% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Beverly Perdue | 1,888,397 | 56.6% | ||
Republican | Jim Snyder | 1,453,705 | 42.8% | ||
Libertarian | Christopher Cole | 56,368 | 1.7% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Beverly Perdue | 1,500,206 | 52% | ||
Republican | Betsy Cochrane | 1,315,825 | 46% | ||
Reform | Catherine Carter | 50,352 | 2% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Beverly Perdue | 329,183 | 64.1% | ||
Democratic | Ed Wilson | 103,847 | 20.2% | ||
Democratic | Ronnie Ansley | 55,622 | 10.8% | ||
Democratic | Joel Harbinson | 25,179 | 4.9% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Beverly Perdue | 24,767 | 60.1% | ||
Republican | David G. Hipps | 16,414 | 39.9% |
All data is from the State Board of Elections.
See also
[edit]- List of female governors in the United States
- List of female lieutenant governors in the United States
References
[edit]- ^Washington PostArchivedOctober 1, 2008, at theWayback MachineandState letterheadArchivedMarch 5, 2012, at theWayback Machineindicate that she places her second husband's surname, Eaves, before her first husband's surname, Perdue.
- ^"Perdue's change of birthdate".News & Observer.Archived fromthe originalon October 23, 2008.
- ^Catanese, David (January 26, 2012)."Bev Perdue will not seek reelection".Politico.
- ^abcdTeague Beckwith, Ryan; Jones, Denise (2007-03-26).Beverly Perdue.ArchivedOctober 29, 2008, at theWayback MachineThe News & Observer.Retrieved on 2008-11-05.
- ^abcdefg"Looking for real reform in the governor's race".Independent Weekly.October 15, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon November 23, 2008.RetrievedNovember 25,2008.
- ^abBeverly PerdueArchivedOctober 29, 2008, at theWayback Machine.News & Observer.March 3, 2007. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
- ^Lori Ann Harris and Marianne M. Kersey, Article II: A Guide to the 1987-1988 N. C. Legislature, N. C. Center for Public Policy Research, Theo Davis & Sons, Zebulon, NC, 1988, p. 168; Kim Kebshull, Article II: A Guide to the 1991-1992 N. C. Legislature, N. C. Center for Public Policy Research, Theo Davis & Sons, Zebulon, NC, 1991, p. 47.
- ^"Surprises Are Few As Hundreds File For Legislative Seats".The Dispatch.February 6, 1990.RetrievedJune 18,2013.
- ^"North Carolina Senate General Election"(PDF).NC State Bureau of Elections. November 5, 1996.RetrievedJune 18,2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^Book, Sue (January 11, 2006)."Potential candidates begin eyeing Thomas' Senate seat".New Bern Sun Journal. Archived fromthe originalon September 5, 2012.RetrievedMay 20,2012.
- ^"William Holt Faircloth, Jr".Carteretcountygov.org.RetrievedMay 20,2012.
- ^"North Carolina Senate General Election"(PDF).NC State Bureau of Elections. November 24, 1998.RetrievedJune 18,2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^http:// iop.harvard.edu/beverly-perduePerdue and was the first woman to hold this position.
- ^http:// dailytarheel /article/2012/12/perdue-leaves-a-long-legacyLegacy
- ^"Give back the cash; retirees tell N.C."Star-News.December 9, 1994.RetrievedJune 18,2013.
- ^"Committee continues debate on amendment for governor's veto".The Robesonian. July 14, 1989.RetrievedJune 18,2013.
- ^"New Education Reforms On Hold".News & Record.February 7, 1993.RetrievedMay 20,2012.
- ^Perdue campaign press releaseArchivedOctober 8, 2008, at theWayback Machine
- ^"Emily's List".Archived fromthe originalon May 9, 2008.
- ^"State Board of Elections".Results.enr.clarityelections.RetrievedMay 20,2012.
- ^abRomoser, James (November 5, 2008)."Perdue, in a first, edges McCrory".Winston-Salem Journal.RetrievedNovember 25,2008.[dead link]
- ^abRobertson, Gary D. (August 25, 2010)."N.C. Governor Perdue's campaign fined on flight reporting errors".StarNews. Archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2012.Retrieved2013-06-18.
- ^abcJohnson, Mark; Benjamin Niolet (November 2, 2008)."Race for Governor Remains Close".The News & Observer.Archived fromthe originalon January 4, 2009.RetrievedNovember 24,2008.
- ^ab"Is the Southern Strategy Dead?".American Prospect.October 24, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon August 10, 2011.RetrievedOctober 26,2008.
- ^"McCrory visits Chapel Hill".Daily Tar Heel.October 30, 2008.RetrievedNovember 25,2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^"McCrory's time".The News & Observer(Editorial). Raleigh, N.C. October 26, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon October 29, 2008.RetrievedOctober 27,2008.
- ^"We recommend McCrory for governor".The Charlotte Observer.October 5, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon July 22, 2012.RetrievedMay 20,2012.
- ^"Editorial endorsement: McCrory for governor".News & Record.October 10, 2008.RetrievedMay 20,2012.
- ^"Election '08: Governor".JournalNow. October 12, 2008.RetrievedMay 20,2012.
- ^"McCrory for governor: Charlotte mayor would bring fresh and innovative leadership to Raleigh".Daily Tar Heel.October 26, 2008.RetrievedOctober 28,2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^"Perdue's Mayberry Miracle".News & Observer.April 23, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon July 20, 2008.RetrievedMay 20,2012.
- ^Robertson, Gary (November 4, 2008)."Democrat Perdue becomes NC's 1st female governor".Associated Press.RetrievedNovember 4,2008.
- ^"Federal investigation still looms for Perdue".WRAL.November 24, 2010.RetrievedFebruary 1,2014.
- ^Bonner, Lynn; Niolet, Benjamin (January 10, 2009). "Council of State also sworn in today: These four among those who will help the new governor steer the ship of state".The News & Observer.
- ^Shea, James (April 14, 2009)."Perdue getting backlash from use of lottery funds".Times-News.Hendersonville, North Carolina.RetrievedApril 1,2016.
- ^"Perdue veto kills confidentiality bill".News & Observer.
- ^Seaton, Jake (July 2, 2012),NC lawmakers override Perdue's veto of fracking bill[permanent dead link]WNCNNews
- ^"Susie, abused dog that inspired NC law, nominated for award".myfox8. June 24, 2014.RetrievedAugust 10,2014.
- ^"Perdue jokes about suspending Congressional elections for two years".News & Observer.September 27, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon September 28, 2011.
- ^"Was Perdue joking? You decide. Listen here".News & Observer.September 28, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon January 1, 2012.Retrieved2012-05-20.
- ^"Perdue requests more federal aid after Hurricane Irene".ABC News.August 29, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on October 25, 2012.RetrievedMay 20,2012.
- ^Catanese, David."Hurricane Irene in North Carolina a big moment for Bev Perdue".Politico.RetrievedMay 20,2012.
- ^"Gov. Perdue's Statement on Eugenics Task Force Recommendations".Office of Governor Bev Perdue(Press release). Archived fromthe originalon September 18, 2012.RetrievedNovember 1,2012.
- ^Price, Mark (June 22, 2012)."Eugenics victims vow to keep fighting for compensation after N.C. Senate nixes budget item".Charlotte Observer.Archived fromthe originalon January 19, 2013.RetrievedJune 18,2013.
- ^"Governor Perdue's Video Message: A Fraction of a Penny for Progress".North Carolina Democratic Party. January 20, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon February 29, 2012.RetrievedJune 18,2013.
- ^"Gov. Perdue Funds Pre-K Expansion to Cover Up to 6,300 Additional Children".Office of the Governor(Press release). October 18, 2012.RetrievedNovember 1,2012– via North Carolina Digital Collections.
- ^Almasy, Steve (January 1, 2013)."North Carolina governor pardons 'Wilmington 10'".CNN.RetrievedJune 18,2013.
- ^Biography;North Carolina Governor profile
- ^"Beverly Perdue".The Institute of Politics at Harvard University. Spring 2013.RetrievedJune 18,2013.
- ^"Under the Dome: Perdue sets post-governor plans, mum on Raleigh GOP".News & Observer.June 17, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon June 17, 2013.RetrievedJune 18,2013.
- ^"Visiting fellow, former N.C. Gov. Bev Perdue tours Duke campus | the…".Archived fromthe originalon August 29, 2013.
- ^Associated Press: Former NC Gov. Perdue back leading national testing board
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- North Carolina Democratic Party
- News & Observer: Perdue announces bid for governorArchivedOctober 6, 2008, at theWayback MachineMark Johnson,The News & Observer,October 1, 2007
- News & Observer: Perdue's Resumes,The News & Observer,October 9, 2007
- News & Observer: Perdue's inaugural address,The News & Observer,January 10, 2009
- AppearancesonC-SPAN
- 1947 births
- 21st-century North Carolina politicians
- 21st-century American women politicians
- Democratic Party governors of North Carolina
- Harvard Institute of Politics
- Lieutenant governors of North Carolina
- Living people
- Democratic Party members of the North Carolina House of Representatives
- Democratic Party North Carolina state senators
- People from Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- People from Grundy, Virginia
- Politicians from New Bern, North Carolina
- University of Florida College of Education alumni
- University of Kentucky alumni
- Women state governors of the United States
- Women state legislators in North Carolina
- Kentucky women in politics