Democratic candidates seek support of educators

Lieutenant Governor Walter Dalton, former Congressman Bob Etheridge and State Representative Bill Faison spoke at a party-sponsored event held at the headquarters of the North Carolina Association of Educators.

The candidates agree that quality education is key to the future of North Carolina, but they differ on how to achieve the goal of putting education first.

Etheridge, who served as state superintendent before his tenure in Congress, is a familiar face to the NCAE. He said his goal is to make educators feel appreciated again.

"We have to reinvent, refocus and the resources have to be put in K-12, community colleges and our universities so we can build that bright 21st century that we all want," Etheridge said.

"We ought to be giving every kid who enters high school a laptop, PDA, iPad, something that gives them full access to the Internet – not just at school but also at home," he said.

The three candidates who spoke Friday will be joined on the Democratic primary ballot by at least two more. Gary Dunn, of Matthews, and Gardenia M. Henley, of Winston-Salem, filed notice of their candidacy Friday.

Candidates have until Feb. 29 to enter the race. One-stop coting begins as early as April 19 in some places. the official primary date is May 8.