Lillian's List of NC

By John Frank - jfrank@newsobserver.com

RALEIGH -- N.C. Gov. Bev Perdue, one of the nation's most vulnerable Democrats, will not seek re-election this year.

Perdue issued a noon statement saying her focus is on improving the state's education system and "my race for re-election will only further politicize the fight to adequately fund our schools."

"The thing I care about most right now is making sure that our schools and schoolchildren do not continue to be the victims of shortsighted legislative actions and severe budget cuts inflicted by a legislative majority with the wrong priorities," Perdue said in a statement. "Therefore, I am announcing today that I have decided not to seek re-election. I hope this decision will open the door to an honest and bipartisan effort to help our schools."

The timing of Perdue's decision shocked the North Carolina political world, coming just 15 weeks before the May primary election. It didn't appear planned and even top Democrats didn't know about it until this morning. Her campaign aides apparently began telling top Democrats in the past 24 hours and she gathered top state agency officials at the executive mansion Thursday morning.

Perdue's expected departure holds national implications as it creates a scramble at the top of the Democratic ticket in a key political swing state that will host the Democratic National Convention and play a key role in President Barack Obama's re-election. Perdue is North Carolina's first woman governor and one of three Democratic state executives in the South.

But a fresh Democratic face could help Democrats, given Perdue's dismal poll numbers and the ongoing criminal cases against three campaign associates relating to fundraising from her narrow 2008 victory. A January poll from Public Policy Polling showed that half of North Carolina likely voters viewed her unfavorably, making her one of the most unpopular governors in the nation. The poll showed that likely Republican nominee Pat McCrory, the former longtime Charlotte mayor, held an 11 point advantage.

"Perdue’s decision not to run for a second term increases the chances that Democrats can hold on to the office, said Wake Forest University professor of political science John Dinan, an expert on state politics. It "clears the way for Democrats to nominate someone with a better chance of keeping the seat in Democratic hands.”

A number of top Democrats names are mentioned as possible replacements, including Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, former Congressman Bob Etheridge, Erskine Bowles and State Treasurer Janet Cowell. One possible contender, N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper, said Thursday that he would not run for governor, instead seeking re-election.

Another likely candidate for governor is state Rep. Bill Faison, an Orange County Democrat, who has been making moves for months about running for higher office as he tours the state touting an economic plan that would raise taxes to hire state employees who received pink slips after state budget cuts.

Faison said he will make an announcement next week about his plans. Asked if he will run, Faison said "You should probably expect the announcement will be in that direction."

Perdue's anticipated departure came the morning U.S. Rep. Brad Miller of Raleigh announced his retirement, saying he wouldn't challenge fellow Democrat David Price in the 4th Congressional District after redistricting put them in the same territory. Miller said he hasn't thought about running for governor.

Dalton is leaning toward entering the governor's race and is expected to make a decision very soon, according to a source close to the lieutenant governor. He has been calling key supporters this morning, after learning of Perdue's announcement. Last night he raised an estimated $150,000 at a fund raiser at the home of Cary software executive Jim Goodnight.

He has also been dealing with a tragedy in his office. His legal counsel, Cynthia O'Neal, died suddenly at age 37 on Wednesday.

Staff writers Rob Christensen and Jim Morrill contributed to this report.

Frank: 919-829-4698