Perdue tries to clear air with Mississippi governor

In an interview with WITN in Greenville, Perdue expressed disappointment that the amendment, which made marriage between one man and one woman the only legal union recognized by the state, passed with 61 percent of the vote Tuesday.

"People are saying, 'What in the world is going on with North Carolina?' We look like Mississippi," she told WITN on Friday.

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant called the remark "derogatory."

"Marriage should be between one man and one woman. If we are going to be criticized for that, let her begin," Bryant said.

The two leaders spoke by phone Monday to clear the air.

"I thought we had a really good conversation about public policy between North Carolina and Mississippi," Perdue said. 

Still, she said, her comments were only meant to express confusion about how a state that had stood up to improve race relations decades ago could approve the amendment.

"(It's a fact) that Mississippi, for years, tended to be more conservative and North Carolina tended to be more progressive," she said. "I did tell (Bryant) that, after everybody spent their money in North Carolina, we would encourage them to go on to Mississippi, because it is a great state with great people."

Bryant said his conversation with Perdue was "disappointing" and that her characterization of Mississippi is inaccurate.

"(We have) more African American elected officials than any state in the nation, two statewide elected officials that are Republican females. I think we are doing an excellent job," he said.