A state lawmaker from Fayetteville plans to challenge North Carolina's incumbent state Superintendent of Public Instruction in the May primary.
Jessica Jones: Democratic Representative Rick Glazier says he plans to use the job to speak out for public education. He says he's concerned about low test scores and North Carolina's low per pupil spending rate that's 49th in the nation. Glazier has already formed a campaign committee. Meanwhile, the current superintendent, June Atkinson, announced yesterday she will seek re-election. She hasn't raised campaign money in the last six months but she says she's not concerned. Another state lawmaker, Democratic Representative Tricia Cotham was rumored to be interested in the position too. But now she says she'll seek re-election to her seat in the state House. On the Republican side, Wake County school board member John Tedesco has said he's considering throwing his hat into the ring. Two other Republicans have already filed: Cary teacher Ray Martin and former Monroe City Council candidate Richard Alexander.