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 The New Sheriff in Town is Female
by Tom Campbell
November 5, 2008
At one point in the arduous campaign Beverly Perdue said when she was elected Governor the message would be sent that “there’s a new sheriff in town.” For the first time in history, our state’s “new sheriff” is a woman.
There is always a testing period when a new Governor takes office but the first female Governor will rightly or wrongly be put to additional tests. Lobbyists, special interests and government bureaucrats will want to know how hard they can push to get their way and how Perdue will respond to their interests.
A more important test will be Perdue’s independence from her former legislative colleagues, especially Senate leadership, where a growing chorus already believes too much power has resided for too long. Many eyes will be watching whether she will be an extension of that leadership or has the mettle to maintain the essential separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches. Legislative leadership in the Senate has made no secret they don’t like being told what to do. While our Governor isn’t as powerful as some, Perdue has two powerful weapons available, the bully pulpit that can sway public opinion and the veto.
Governor Perdue’s opposition in the election labeled her “status quo Bev,” saying she would do what has always been done in dealing with significant issues of state. She promised that wouldn’t be the case and that she understood and would be an agent for change.
The next few weeks are critical for Perdue as she assembles the team to lead this state in troubled times. The selection of a budget director is critical, with a projected deficit of as much as .5 billion when the new administration takes office, coupled with the need to present new budget proposals to the legislature shortly after they convene January 28th. We are eager to learn who will head Commerce as it might signal the approach the new administration takes toward business recruitment. The selection of a Secretary for Health and Human Services is also important in dealing with the disaster in mental health. The Governor will select the new head of public education, another area in which strong leadership and reform are needed. And no leader will be more critical than the new head of the Department of Transportation. The Governor may be the chief executive, but leading a state requires a team approach and the selection of this team is an early indicator.
Governor Beverly Perdue’s first 100 days will be critical. North Carolina is a state badly in need of leadership. Our economy is suffering and we face crises in many areas. The Perdue team must quickly assess situations; carefully prioritize the most critical areas for action, then craft programs and plans to achieve those priorities. The biggest task will be selling those plans to the public and the legislature. It won’t be easy but will signal what we can expect for the next four years. She didn’t get to this place without testing and struggle, so she should be up to the challenge. We wish Governor Perdue well.
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