The State Employees Association of North Carolina PAC endorsed a slate of legislative candidates representing a range of political views. On what other endorsement list would Democratic Rep. Paul Luebke of Durham and Republican Rep.. Nelson Dollar of Cary both find a spot?
Notably absent from the list of endorsees are candidates for governor or state treasurer. Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, the Democratic candidate for governor, and Republican candidate Pat McCrory were interviewed and neither got the nod.
No endorsement for state Insurance Commissioner, Labor Commissioner, or Agriculture Commissioner either.
There aren't lots of competitive contests, but SEANC-endorsed candidates are eligible for PAC donations and other assistance.
In statewide races were it did make choices, the PAC endorsed Democratic candidates including Linda Coleman for lieutenant governor. incumbent state Auditor Beth Wood, incumbent Superintendent for Public Instruction June Atkinson, and incumbent Secretary of State Elaine Marshall.
Update: The reason, says SEANC executive director Dana Cope, that the PAC didn't endorse in the governor's race is that "neither candidate spoke to their issues, the issues they feel strongly about." That would be "quality public services and doing it at the most efficient pricepoint for the taxpayers."
In the treasurer's race, SEANC is not only unhappy over the recent pension system Facebook investment, but has a longstanding concern about the state treasurer being the person who chooses the firms that handle pension fund investments. SEANC wants a board of trustees involved.
Update: In 2008, SEIU, a union associated with SEANC, contributed $1.2 million to the state Democratic Party, spent $410,000 on state races, and gave $250,000 to an independent group that ran ads attacking McCrory.
Comments
I bet you guys can get some
August 28, 2012 - 11:52am — WilmingtonDemocratI bet you guys can get some fabergege eggs for real cheap. Gotta figure your leader Rep. Laroque is selling them to pay his legal bills.
Surprised to see Myers Park Pat is not attending the RNC Convention. Thought he would down there lobbying for his clients at Moore Van Allen. Maybe he's out west at the Cherokee casino with Dana.
I agree
August 27, 2012 - 9:21pm — mountainmanI agree totally with you concerned53.
Wilmington Dem is exposed as a hypocrite
August 27, 2012 - 8:42pm — concerned53So Wilmington Dem has been fine with Dana Cope for years, as long as he contributed millions to the dems corrupt candidates and paid for attack ads that slandered republicans. Now he now calls Dana an overweight, character challenged, gambling addict because he won't endorse Dalton. Not a peep for years.... I wonder what Wilmington Dem knows or feels about all of the other corrupt democrats that we are trying to vote out of Raleigh. Maybe he will turn on them as well - including Dalton & Perdue with all of their secrets.
Dana Cope
August 27, 2012 - 7:08pm — WilmingtonDemocratDana Cope is an overweight gambling addict who sold out to Tillis-Laroque culture of corruption. Everyone knows he is a joke and best not to be associated with such a character challenged joker who gambles away his family's nestegg.
seanc
August 27, 2012 - 5:43pm — mountainmanSeanc does not speak for all state employees!!!! Nor does it (PAC) Political Action Committee!!! Most state employees do not belong to SEANC, because they understand that it is just one of the many arms of the North Carolina democrat machine. It is shameful that seanc parades around North Carolina using state employee numbers as clout, when in truth only a very small number of state employees actually are members, the real numbers are about 15% or less. Most state employees, like all other citizens, want what is best for North Carolina, and they don't want some pathetic group trying to express there political opinions for them. State employee's will cast there votes for the good of the state and it's people. Seanc and the endorsements they make are irrelevant. The state's employees will make the right decision, they want be fooled again!!!
Dem leaning SEANC Rejects Dalton!
August 27, 2012 - 2:55pm — concerned53This is a major disaster for Wally as the State Employees Union REJECTED him and thus he is not eligible for their PAC money. He has been declaring that the state employees love him as their current Lt Governor, but I guess they have never heard of him either. When was the last time the SEANC did not endorse the democrats candidate for governor?
"Rejecting" both candidates is true spin by the Dome and the SEANC as my bet is that politically, they realized that they had to be perceived as neutral as they recognize that McCrory is going to the the next governor of North Carolina - and they will have to work with him.