Mayor Nancy McFarlane is an unaffiliated voter on the rolls but a “D” at heart. Today, she joined Durham Mayor Bill Bell, a “D” for sure, at the Boylan Bridge Brewpub, which sounds like it was fun. And she endorsed President Barack Obama’s re-election bid, which is a surprise only in that I would’ve thought she’d already done so.
Anyway, for the record, here’s what the Obama for America NC folks had to say:
Raleigh, NC — Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane today endorsed President Obama alongside Durham Mayor Bill Bell at the Boylan Bridge Brewpub overlooking the site where Raleigh’s new transit hub, Union Station, will be built. Mayors McFarlane and Bell outlined their support for the President’s vision that a thriving economy depends on a thriving middle class.
Mayor McFarlane said, “In this election, voters in North Carolina are facing the clearest choice they’ve faced in a generation — a choice between two competing visions for the future of our state and our country. President Obama understands what has made North Carolina into the best place in the country to live, work, state a business and raise a family. Which is why I am standing here today to officially announce my endorsement for President Obama for another four years in the White House.”
President Obama has remained committed to investing in infrastructure, education and innovation. He fought to keep tens of thousands of teachers in North Carolina’s public schools through Race to the Top, and invested in major infrastructure projects such as the new high-speed rail line from Raleigh to Charlotte and the new Raleigh Union Station, which recently received a $21 million TIGER grant.
“The Romney-Ryan budget would slash investments in local infrastructure and education. Governor Romney simply doesn’t understand what it takes to grow our economy from the middle class out,” said Mayor McFarlane. “He plans to reduce Pell Grants by $830 on average for North Carolina students and could cut scientific research by up to 20%. The choice for North Carolinians couldn’t be clearer.”
Mayor Bell said, “President Obama’s plan to grow the economy from the middle out is the same blueprint that transformed North Carolina into a leader in the global economy over the last half-century, and it is the way forward to our future economic success. We have come a long way, but there is a lot more work to do. That’s why I am asking every North Carolinian to vote early for President Obama.”
