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 Governor Perdue on her historic tenure, and we wish Bev and her family well in the future.
-President Barack Obama
Governor 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 commonsense 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. Senator Kay R. Hagan
Governor 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.
- North Carolina Senate Minority Leader Sen. Martin Nesbitt
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.
-North Carolina House Minority Leader Joe Hackney
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. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President NC NAACP
