Morgan debuts first official campaign video for Dem nomination for governor

Former North Carolina State Supreme Court Justice Mike Morgan officially launched his first campaign video Wednesday in his run for the Democratic party nomination for governor in the 2024 primary election. He announced in September that he would run for the office.

“This video is about my past and my vision for North Carolina’s future,” Morgan said in a press release. “I want people to know who I am, what I have been able to accomplish, and what I still want to do to make North Carolina a better place for all our people. My history, my integrity, and my values drive this campaign,” 

After announcing this spring that he would step down from the state’s high court, Morgan is challenging frontrunner North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein for the Democratic nomination. Stein announced his bid earlier this year. 

Morgan said he has taken some hard steps throughout his life that have improved his life and steps that have been dedicated to serving the people of North Carolina.

The video begins in 1964 with a child actor portraying an eight-year-old Morgan as the first black student to attend Trent Park Elementary School in New Bern. Six years later, when forced integration began in the state, a fourteen-year-old Morgan became the first black drum major in high school.

After 34 years on the bench, Morgan said in his video that progress calls again and that he is stepping forward to run for governor.

“The state government is broken, and we can’t be stuck in the past,” Morgan said. He comments that there are 3500 open teaching positions in public schools across the state, 12 people die every day from fentanyl overdoses, and it takes 45 days to schedule an appointment at the DMV.

“I know we can fix this we just have to take those hard steps forward,” he said. “Marching towards progress can make a lot of people uncomfortable but being uncomfortable is God making us stretch ourselves making us grow. So, if you’re ready to take those hard steps towards a brighter future for every North Carolinian, I’m ready to lead the way,” his video concludes.

Candidate filing with the North Carolina State Board of Elections opens on December 4, 2023 and runs through December 15. The North Carolina gubernatorial primary is scheduled for March 5, 2024. The winner of the Democrat primary will face the winner of the Republican primary race, currently led by Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, on November 5, 2024.