Wake County school board member Debra Goldman announced today that she will run for State Auditor.
"While serving as a leading member, and Vice-Chair of the 16th largest public school system in America, I have always led in the fight to put reform ahead of partisanship," Goldman says in her press release. "Some would call that being a 'maverick,' some have even called that being a 'watchdog.' While I was leading that effort on a local level, I can safely say that I saw nothing of that kind of leadership in the higher levels of our state government.
I have looked for evidence of leadership in Raleigh and found the offices of Governor and Auditor sorely lacking. I will accept the challenge. I want to bring this type of leadership to the Office of State Auditor."
Whether Goldman can win the Republican Party nomination to challenge Democratic incumbent Beth Wood remains to be seen.
Comments
...
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 14:36 — SideburnsI'm with Bob on this. I supported them in '09 for School Board because of their vision and passion for reforming education in Wake County. Too bad they don't feel the need to at least fulfill their first term.
agreed
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 14:56 — jenmanagreed
...
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 15:07 — SideburnsI knew we'd get back on the same page at some point. :)
Me too.
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 23:38 — raleighlauraThe board should've come first.
Hard to believe
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 13:30 — jgegbgmgIt's hard to believe what is happening with the Republican Party candidates. First you have Malone seeking higher office in the NC General Assembly with two years of no accomplisments as a school board member (what experiences does he have that qualifies him for this move)? Then you have Tedesco running for State Superintendent of Schools. I guess he thinks two years on the Wake Board of Education qualifies him. He has nothing else regarding educational experience that would benefit his run for this position. The only thing I see that he has is his own vision of himself (God help us). And finally there is Goldman. All I can say about her decision to seek the State Auditor position is bull. Her qualifications are blank. Does she have any budgeting, auditing, financial and balancing the books background? Please someone tell me what qualities she has that would help her as our State Auditor. It's going to be interesting to see where the contributions will come from to help these three people run. I would be shocked if the local Republican Party blew money on these three unqualified losers.
So...
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 14:57 — Bob_SconceMalone was on the Wake Forest Town Council before he went onto the school board. Personally, I suspect he's far better qualified to be a State Rep than many of the people there currently, of both parties. Lots of people get that job without any obvious qualifications. I still want him to stay on the WCPSS board, but I disagree that he's unqualified to be a State Representative.
(I do, however, wish we had more attorneys in the GA -- lawmaking would make more sense if it involved more people who understood the law.)
Personally, I have a tough time seeing anybody defend the current State Board and State Superintendent. Their proposal to stop teaching the Civil War in state high schools, for example, was idiotic. And this whole "teacher effectiveness" thing that they rolled out, based completely on principal evaluations, was a joke. However you feel about Tedesco, you have to admit that there's no way he would have supported either of those.
As to Goldman. . . . I just don't understand what she's thinking. This is a position that has specific technical qualifications, and she just doesn't have them. She's equally qualified to be Attorney General or Professor of Biology at NC State.
OK
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 18:22 — jgegbgmgSconce - I can understand your response about Malone's qualifications - My question on him is what has he contributed to our schools besides the one project he had for location of a high school? It's my understanding that he has been a ghost to the schools in his district and to me that's not fulfilling his obligations for his current position. As for Tedesco & Goldman they would be better off staying put. Their qualifications for the particular higher office they are seeking is zero. Tedesco has only two years with the school board so that in no way prepares him for such a jump. I agree with you on Goldman - what in the world is she thinking? Plus who in the world would put a lot of money into her campaign effort?
Qualifications? If you meet
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 18:28 — starsonoursQualifications? If you meet the qualifications to be on the ballot it is up to the people who vote to decide if you are qualified. I have never understood why people make arguments about qualifications, the election process gives people the opportunity to decide if someone is or isn't qualified.
Eh..
Fri, 02/03/2012 - 00:16 — Bob_SconceI think it's qualifications for the job itself. The only reason to have the State Auditor on the ballot is to try to get some sort of independence from the people he/she would be auditing. Other than that, it's just an administrative position and should be no more elected than we elect the head of the state's IT operations. Elections make sense for policy-making positions.
But as long as we do not set
Fri, 02/03/2012 - 15:05 — starsonoursBut as long as we do not set standards and qualifications for these elected officials we are leaving it up to the voters to decide. Yes I agree someone with an accounting back ground would be the best fit for this office, but since it is not stated as a requirement not having that background does not make you unqualified to hold the office. The position is a managerial position, they are not doing the audits but overseeing the people that oversee the people that do the audits. Heck I have a former paralegal that manages construction and a former teacher that manages development. Neither had experience in what they currently do when they were hired, both are extremely effective at what they do because they had strong management skills.
Eh...
Fri, 02/03/2012 - 15:21 — Bob_SconceWell, the "it's just management" approach works in many places. Heck, Leon Panetta was never in the military and Tony Tata doesn't have an education degree. But I don't think the auditor's position is like those. He needs to be able to understand what people beneath him are telling him, and there's a huge amount of technical knowledge required just to be able to understand them.
It's not just auditors -- I wouldn't want a Attorney General who wasn't an attorney, either, even though he probably doesn't try any cases himself.
As a Republican, I want my party to find good candidates for each race who, if elected, will be able to do their jobs professionally and competently. I don't want to see a bunch of people who are just looking for their next political gig -- think Bob Etheridge running for Governor.
An understanding of how
Sat, 02/04/2012 - 10:23 — MariagerwinAn understanding of how State Government runs would be a good foundation for becoming State Auditor. It is quit a complicated and convoluted mess.
Hmm...
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 18:28 — Bob_Sconcewho in the world would put a lot of money into [Goldman's] campaign effort?
Beth Wood.
Goldman
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 16:03 — HereWeGoAs to Goldman. . . . I just don't understand what she's thinking.
She needs a job.
I am shocked. You mean you
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 13:58 — starsonoursI am shocked. You mean you are not voting for them? I can only imagine how upset the 3 of them will be to hear this.
Maverick? Watchdog?
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 08:25 — bpuli9999Debra Goldman is worse than Heather Losurdo and Cynthia Matson (sp?? the lady who ran for school board) in listing her accomplishments!
It's getting harder to defend against the accusation...
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 03:23 — csivcaIt's getting harder to defend against the accusation some are using the school board as a political launch pad.
First Tedesco... now Goldman...
Don't forget Malone.
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 10:23 — the_truthDon't forget Malone.
You left out Rosa Gill
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 08:50 — starsonoursYou left out Rosa Gill
GET IT CORRECT...
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 09:12 — ClearThinker...Ms. Gill never ran for the state House when she left the Wake School Board. She wa selected to fill out the unexpired term of Rep. Dan Blue, who was selected to fill the unexpired term of the late Sen. Vernon Malone, who had died in April 2009.
Gill finally ran for election when that term was up, as did Blue. Yo9u smearmongers can't even LIE straight!
The topic was people using
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 12:17 — starsonoursThe topic was people using their position on the board as a launch pad for higher office not people running for election while still a board member. You have mapped out how Ms. Gill moved to a position in the GA because of her name recognition as a board member. How is what I posted a lie? Ms. Gill was the Board Chair with an 8-1 majority who could pass anything she wanted but as soon as a higher office was available she left the BOE for it. That is called a lauchpad to higher office Muddy.
?
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 09:14 — Bob_SconceSo, being selected to fill out the unexpired term is not a launchpad?
Not only that, but wouldn't
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 12:08 — jenmanNot only that, but wouldn't Gill have had to apply for the vacant seat? Also, I think I remember reading where Gill said that she always wanted to be in the House.
Hadn't Gill been a board
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 12:22 — virginiadareHadn't Gill been a board member for about a decade? That's not at all the same as running for another office when your first term is just barely half over! Gill had paid her dues and served the county with dedication for years and years. I don't think you can say the same for the current board members.
Yep, way too long
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 14:55 — FSandYOUNow she's just minority seat filler.
WEll, yeah...
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 12:40 — Bob_SconceI don't think anybody's claiming the two situations are identical. But, Gill clearly used her role on the WCPSS board to her advantage in seeking higher office. She's a political animal -- IIRC, before getting on the School Board, she was the Chairwoman of the Democratic Party.
I'm disappointed that three of the four GOP members are trying for state office. I had supported them in '09, thinking that they'd be there long-term. I want them as a foil for the nuttier elements on the current board, and I'm worried about who would be named to fill their seats. (On the other hand, much of the education problems in this state arise directly from the statewide leadership of the State Board and Superintendent; if we can get somebody of Tedesco's passion up there to shake them up, I'm all in favor. Step 1: Fix the abomination known as the Standard Course Of Study, regularly given 'D' or 'F' ratings by the Fordham Institute. [There are huge pieces of it unaffected by the Common Core.])
nuttier indeed
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 14:12 — changewcpss1"I want them as a foil for the nuttier elements on the current board...."
That can't work...They ARE the nuttier elements on the current board.
DAMN...
Wed, 02/01/2012 - 16:37 — ClearThinker...Goldman is reading the cue cards like a third-grader. Who is her political consultant, John Tedesco? LOL
Her PR Mentor is...
Wed, 02/01/2012 - 20:54 — truthBtoldPatty Briguglio . Pres, Pres
Patty Briguglio...
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 19:18 — valsparwho was just appointed to Wake Ed Partnership's board in December? That does not hold water. Do you have something against Ms. Briguglio?
Talk about stiff
Wed, 02/01/2012 - 17:56 — FSandYOUHave mercy.
Huh?
Wed, 02/01/2012 - 16:29 — Bob_SconceI don't know anything about Beth Wood other than the fact that she's a CPA. I thought Les Merritt did a good job. He has an accounting degree. And, that's critical for this job. I don't have an accounting degree and, thus, would never even consider running for state Auditor -- I'm just plain not qualified, even though I have a math degree and am not afraid of numbers.
I'm afraid Mrs. Goldman isn't any more qualified for State Auditor than I am. I generally like her current contributions to the Wake County School Board and hope she stays there, runs again in 2013 and wins then.
The only conceivable explanation I have for this is that the GOP is expecting a blow-out of the sort that happened in 1994, when a raccoon with a "-R" next to his name could have won a seat. So, any Republican with poitical aspirations is looking for their next seat.
I hear Greg Dority is Also Running Now for NC Auditor.
Fri, 02/03/2012 - 14:49 — Jeff_morseFrom Greg's Facebook page.
Well now...
Fri, 02/03/2012 - 15:13 — Bob_SconceHe's better qualified than Goldman -- at least Dority's involved in the financial industry -- but, he's not an accountant either. At least he recognizes that; Goldman seems oblivious.
Too bad he's switching -- his securities background would have been good at the Sec'y of State, which regulates securities in NC, among other things.
It Would Be Absolutely Nuts
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 08:18 — chaboard...for any of them to "expect[] a blow-out of the sort that happened in 1994" in a year where there's a very close Presidential race at the top of the ticket. Don't see how that fits the "conceivable" half of "conceivable explanation" myself.
So...
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 15:28 — Bob_SconceThat may be. But, recall how the GOP ran Heather Losurdo's campaign until the first election -- it felt like they were taking a victory lap before the election even happened. Never underestimate the abilities of politicians and party leaders to delude themselves.