(RALEIGH) -- Observers are still shocked by Gov. Bev Perdue's announcement over a week ago that she would not seek a second term. State Director of Americans for Prosperity Dallas Woodhouse said Perdue saw the handwriting on the wall.

"I think her message wasn't resonating, and it allowed her to have really bad poll numbers. And her advisers, the advisers that make money off her and only make money if she stays in the race, told her honestly, Governor, you can't win," he said.

Perdue has said she dropped out of the race because of the partisan politics over education funding. Since her announcement, at least three people have announced they will seek the Democratic nomination, including Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, former US Rep. Bob Etheridge and state Rep. Bill Faison.