DURHAM, NC – During a recent street festival in downtown Wake Forest, Michele Morrow stood out in a blue T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan “Make education great again.” As she engaged with voters, she highlighted her experience homeschooling five children, advocating for her candidacy as North Carolina’s Superintendent of Public Instruction.
“Many homeschoolers would return their children to public schools if they could be assured of safety and an environment free from bullying,” Morrow stated. She expressed concerns over parents feeling their values are not reflected in the public education system.
While her message may resonate with some parents, the upcoming election may serve as a referendum on Morrow’s controversial history filled with unfounded accusations and misleading claims.
Morrow has previously endorsed conspiracy theories associated with Q-Anon, labeled some educators as “groomers,” and made statements linking the “plus” in LGBTQ+ to “pedophilia.” Her frequent depictions of public schools as “indoctrination centers” raise eyebrows, alongside her past remarks suggesting severe consequences for former President Barack Obama, which she later described as a joke.
In her political journey, Morrow has not held public office prior to this election. She ran for a school board position two years ago but was unsuccessful. However, in a surprising turn, she secured the Republican nomination for state schools superintendent by a narrow margin against the incumbent.
Experts suggest her provocative rhetoric might have played a crucial role in her nomination, according to political analysts.
Morrow’s opponent, Democrat Mo Green, has extensive experience within the state’s educational system. As a former superintendent in the large Guilford County district, Green emphasized the importance of having someone who truly believes in public education advocating for its future.
“In my past roles, I have managed thousands of individuals and overseen budgets in the billions,” said Green. He recognized the need for the election to address more than just policy details, stressing that fundamental values concerning public education are at stake.
His campaign has spotlighted Morrow’s attendance at the rally near the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, presenting video footage from the event to illustrate concerns about her views.
Some voters are distancing themselves from Morrow due to her past comments. Private school teacher Erin Lynch expressed her distress upon learning about Morrow’s positions, indicating a desire for a better representation of public education values.
Morrow maintains her commitment to improving public education while advocating for the reinstatement of safety, discipline, and focused academics in classrooms. “I want to eliminate politics and social activism from educational settings,” she stated.
This message resonates with certain constituents, with retired teacher Donna Lubus noting her support for Morrow. Lubus is actively volunteering for the campaign, expressing her discontent with current public school dynamics, citing concerns over a perceived agenda within the system.
