Darrell Allison, president of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, offers this perspective on the outcome of the ’08 election in an email to supporters:

The election of Lieutenant Governor Bev Perdue is truly historic. She being our state’s?first female governor shows just how far?we have come in electing diverse leaders with regard to race and gender. PEFNC was?equally impressed?with her challenger, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory in the recent?gubernatorial race. The strong position he took in support of parental school choice was admirable, and it is an idea whose time has come for our state, especially when we see the recent results reported by?the North Carolina Board of Education with barely 50% of our children meeting reading standards.

Although we appreciate the historic nature of this election with Bev Perdue as our next governor, let?s be clear – her opposition to parental school choice (private school and/or public charters)?will present?a major challenge for?supporters, like you and me, who believe that?families should have more freedom in choosing the best education for their children. Based on?Perdue’s record in the General Assembly and strong positions against parental school choice during her gubernatorial run, supporters of parental school choice will be challenged and on the defensive over the next two to four years. That being said, we congratulate Lieutenant Governor Perdue for making North Carolina history, and we encourage our supporters to remain steadfast in championing greater educational options in North Carolina.

In 2007, Donna Martinez spoke with Allison about his group. You can read a transcript of the interview here.