In theory, the North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction is  the state’s top public school official, but in fact the General Assembly has sharply limited the role of the office. Nevertheless, the Superintendent wields some powers and can use the position as a “bully pulpit” on educational issues.

Republican candidates

The Republican primary for Superintendent of Public Instruction offers the sharpest contrast between candidates of any race on the May 6 ballot. Republican and Unaffiliated voters have a choice between a good candidate and two of the worst candidates on the GOP ballot.

Eric Smith is a farmer and former management employee of Continental Airlines. The Reidsville resident has been active in Republican campaigns and appears to be a sound conservative on the issues. He supports more parental control of education and favors lifting the cap on charter schools. He also supports Second Amendment Rights. Those who have met Smith  are very favorably impressed.

Former NC House Co-Speaker Richard Morgan has filed for the office. Morgan and three other Republicans teamed up with all the Democrat members of the House to elect Morgan and Jim Black Co-Speakers. It soon became apparent that Black wielded the real power; that Morgan had handed control of the state House to the Democrats in exchange for a title and a few perks of office.

Jim Black is now in prison, and Morgan was defeated in the primary in his bid for re-election. Now Morgan wants to be   Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Joe Johnson, the third Republican candidate, is even worse than Morgan. On his web site, the 26-year old describes one of his previous jobs as “State Director of the National Student Pledge Against Gun Violence.” He also lists himself as a member of the  Board of Directors for the North Carolinians Against Gun Violence Education Fund.

This group is hostile to Second Amendment rights. It favors legislation which would greatly restrict, if not completely outlaw, private use and ownership of firearms. Sarah Brady is among the speakers the group has sponsored.

A close reading of Johnson’s  statements indicates he takes the liberal side of other issues as well. It seems to us he would be more at home running in the Democrat primary.

Democrat candidates

June Atkinson, the incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction, is running for re-election. Some observers say she is not as liberal as most other Democrat elected officials. That may be the case. Eddie Davis, her opponent in the Democrat primary, has the endorsement of the  N.C. Association of Educators (NCAE).