Reactions to Perdue's decision not to seek re-election

Here are some reactions to Gov. Beverly Perdue's decision not to run for a second term:

"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 Gov. Perdue on her historic tenure, and we wish Bev and her family well in the future.

— President Barack Obama

“Gov. Perdue has had a long and dedicated career in public service in North Carolina. All too often, the sacrifices of public officials go unnoted, so I acknowledge her hard work and her years of service to the state. Whether we agree with her politics or not, we all should respect her for her commitment to North Carolina over these many years.

"Republicans in the General Assembly have disagreed deeply with the governor over many issues, but I am hopeful we can find opportunities in her remaining time in office to work on legislative matters that will become a part of her legacy, and do so for the good of all North Carolinians. I wish Gov. Perdue and her family the very best.”

— House Speaker Thom Tillis

"Gov. Perdue will leave office with a reputation as a good governor who managed this state through a difficult time. Despite the financial circumstances of our state, though, she kept a focus on education. She realized that education moves our state forward and moves our people forward. She never forgot that and it was at the core of her time as a legislator and in the executive branch. I am grateful for her service to our state and wish her well."

— House Minority Leader Joe Hackney

"Gov. Bev Perdue has been a champion for school children, and she has fought to keep our education system from being dismantled. She has also been a real advocate for the 99 percent in North Carolina.

"On a personal note, the governor has been a good friend to western North Carolina. She has visited often and has become a real friend to the people in the mountains. For that, I will always be grateful."

— Senate Minority Leader Martin Nesbitt

"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. William Barber, NAACP state president

“Gov. 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 common-sense 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.”

— U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan

“Bev Perdue has been, and will continue to be, an outstanding governor. She has fought to create jobs and protect funding for our children and our public schools. Her leadership – and her willingness to make tough decisions -- has kept our state afloat during the toughest economic times since the Great Depression. Because of her efforts, companies have created nearly 90,000 jobs, and made investments worth more than $19 billion here in North Carolina.

"Gov. Perdue believes that it is essential to reverse the Republican legislature’s cuts to education, but the Republicans continue to fight against adequate school funding. She recognizes that running for re-election will only further politicize the fight to protect North Carolina’s children and the future of our public schools. She hopes that her decision to not run will open the door to an honest and bipartisan effort to help our schools.

"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

“Gov. Perdue’s decision today is not shocking. Perdue’s economic agenda was defined by her desire to raise taxes on all North Carolinians. The numerous scandals and failures of leadership are well documented and caused people to lose faith in her abilities to lead the state.

"With multiple Democrats now openly speculating that they will run, North Carolinians will observe the 'tax-dollar primary.' Whoever decides to raise the most taxes will probably win their nomination and will be defeated next November.

"The North Carolina Republican Party has made one thing very clear: Any attempt to raise taxes on families in this state will be met with fierce resistance.”

— Robin Hayes, North Carolina Republican Party chairman

“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

“Gov. Perdue has relentlessly pursued an agenda of higher taxes and bigger government. Her opposition to free-market reforms, such as allowing temporary sales and income tax hikes to expire, medical malpractice reform, regulatory reform and the energy jobs act, has simply made her unelectable. Bad policy makes bad politics. Her decision today is a reflection of her failed policy positions.

“While we have disagreed vehemently with many of the political positions of Gov. Bev Perdue, we honor and recognize her service to the state of North Carolina and wish her well in retirement.“

— Dallas Woodhouse, Americans for Prosperity state 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