By Christine Zhu

NC Newsline

Republican Michele Morrow declared she would keep fighting for change in public schools after accepting defeat in the North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction contest.

The Associated Press projected Democrat Mo Green as the victor early Wednesday morning. Green won the race with 51.09 percent of the vote compared to 48.91 percent for Morrow, according to the State Board of Elections. All precincts are reporting.

The superintendent of public instruction heads one of the state’s largest agencies with a multibillion-dollar budget and provides support to all of North Carolina’s public schools. The position is currently held by Catherine Truitt, who lost in the Republican primary to Morrow.

“Our new superintendent made it very clear throughout his campaign that he has no intention of changing anything. His mantra was ‘celebrate’ the current system as it is,” Morrow wrote in a statement.

“I will fight harder than ever before to protect our children and save our schools from a system that is failing them,” she continued. “This was never about winning a political office. This was always about the children. And so it will remain.”

Morrow did not clarify how she intended to keep fighting.

Green thanked voters for electing him to the office, saying he was “humbled” and “honored.”

“It’s now upon us to put forth and implement our bold vision, direction, and plan for N.C. public schools. Our children and the future of our state depend on it,” he wrote in a statement.

“This is a moment where what was presented to voters was, I think, a pretty stark choice,” Green said during a virtual press conference.

Truitt congratulated Green on social media, pledging to work with him on a smooth transition between the two.

Green previously served as the superintendent of Guilford County Public Schools, the third largest district in the state with more than 70,000 students.

He has voiced his opposition to the opportunity scholarships program, which uses public tax dollars to provide vouchers for families to attend private schools. Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a bill to dramatically expand the program earlier this year, although the state legislature can still override it before the end of the year.

Green’s campaign also reminded voters of his opponent’s past actions. The down-ballot race has gained national attention and scrutiny due to Morrow’s previous comments.

She attended the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol when insurrectionists attempted to overthrow Congress as it certified the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Investigative reporters at CNN’s KFILE found no evidence that Morrow entered the Capitol building that day or that she engaged in violence, and she was not charged with any crimes.

Morrow also expressed support in 2020 for the televised execution of Cooper, former President Barack Obama, then-President-elect Joe Biden and other prominent Democrats.

Green’s campaign also sought to link his opponent with the GOP ticket’s other controversial candidates, namely Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the Republican gubernatorial nominee who recently gained national attention for offensive and lewd comments he made on social media prior to entering politics.