NC superintendent candidates Michelle Morrow, Mo Green go head-to-head in debate: 'polar opposite'
SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. (WTVD) -- Two Superintendent of Public Instruction candidates Michele Morrow and Mo Green went head-to-head Monday night at Pinecrest High School.
The debate lasted for about an hour, focusing on topics ranging from teacher pay and retention to school safety and how to better 'serve' students in North Carolina schools.
Each candidate made their case and laid out their vision for the future in front of a packed auditorium. Election Day is only a few short weeks away.
Vonda Reives of Lee County said: "Tonight's debate showed me two polar opposite candidates. I saw their different viewpoints. One candidate clearly set on dismantling the public education system here in North Carolina, and I saw the other candidate who shared their views on building this educational system up again."
"I think the ability to lobby for the public schools is important," Hugh Mensch of Moore County said. "I think there's a big difference in character between the two. And in that regard, I think that it's very important that we get out and vote."
The debate was hosted by the Public School Forum of NC.
Race Gets National Attention
Morrow, the Republican candidate, gained national attention for past comments on social media from 2019 to 2021, supporting the execution of some democratic officials. This includes former President Barack Obama, President Joe Biden, and Governor Roy Cooper.
"We cannot allow this type of violence," Green, the Democratic candidate, said regarding his opponent's past comments.
Also, in a now-deleted Facebook video, Morrow -- after attending the January 6 riots -- urged Trump to use the military to stay in power.
In March, Morrow responded to ABC11 about her campaign, including whether she feels she's being misrepresented in the public sphere.
"I think that that's very evident that the political climate has become incredibly caustic," Morrow said. "Political agendas have no place in our public school system. So, what's happening on Twitter, what's happening on social media, it shouldn't even be in our classrooms. The discussions that we're having as adults needs to be for adults."
