With Bev Perdue’s announcement not to run for re-election, the position for North Carolina’s next governor is wide open. Candidates are already contending to gain votes, through televised and other media advertisements, the gubernatorial election will take place Nov. 6, 2012.
One of these candidates is Bill Faison , a member of the Democratic Party and N.C . General Assembly.
Faison lists the economy, education and technological growth as some of the biggest issues he would address as governor.
A New York Times report stated that about 50 percent of college graduates couldn’t find work in their field. Graduates are beginning to take jobs that require no college education, according to Faison .
“The first focus I would have would be trying to improve the economy and the job market, so once students actually come out of school they can go to work at their chosen profession and make a living,” Faison said.
According to Faison , the Employment Security Commission reported that 475,000 people are out of work and last month more than 80,000 people newly filed for unemployment.
“I would have a program that would put back to work the teachers, teacher’s aides and other state employees that were fired by the Republican budget,” Faison said.
Making sure all high school students have technological tools such as laptops, iPads and high speed Internet is another component of Faison’s plan.
The money to initiate these ideas would primarily come from taxes, but looking into public-private partnerships would also be an option, Faison said.
Additionally, Faison plans on having a policy that would focus on redistributing the tax breaks from large and wealthy corporations to small businesses.
“I think it’s an agenda people care about, and I think I would be able to motivate legislators to vote with me on budget issues and all critical economic issues,” Faison said.
Patrick McCrory , a member of the Republican Party, also declared himself as runner in the election for governor.
Previously McCrory , who held the position of mayor of Charlotte, was presidentially appointed to serve on the Homeland Security Council, and was the Republican nominee in the last North Carolina governor election in 2008.
Brian Nick, a spokesman for the campaign, stated McCrory hopes to break down the conflict that occurs after a budget is passed and those in the education system are deemed winners or losers.
“Pat also wants to get past the political bickering and work with Republicans and Democrats to bring about the reform necessary to address areas where we can be doing much better like, for instance, failing to graduate 22 percent of our students from high school,” Nick said.
The majority of the candidates seem to agree that revitalizing North Carolina’s economy is the biggest issue on the table.
“We need to reward the productivity and innovation of North Carolina businesses and entrepreneurs, rather than giving away upfront cash to out-of-state corporations offering promises,” McCrory said in a statement on his website. “We need to get into the energy business so we can be more energy independent and create a new economic engine.”
Another Democratic candidate on the ballot for governor is Walter Dalton.
According to Ford Porter, press secretary for Dalton’s campaign, Dalton sponsored the Innovative Education Initiatives Act,which established the state’s early college system.
Dalton also led the creation of a Small Business Assistance fund, providing loans to small businesses around North Carolina.
“As Lieutenant Governor and chair of the Senate Education Committee, Walter Dalton has spent his career fighting for innovative and effective policy and programs that align customized learning with the jobs of the future,” Porter said.
Apart from Faison , McCrory and Dalton, there are seven other candidates competing for the governor’s position.
The most recent polls show Bob Etheridge is in the lead for the Democratic primary race for governor, with McCrory as the forefront runner for the Republicans, according to the Public Policy Polling website.
