(RALEIGH) -- The head of the group that represents state workers says he is not surprised that Governor Bev Perdue decided against running for reelection. Dana Cope with the State Employees Association of North Carolina says Perdue faced an uphill battle.

"I do think that it was on the horizon. I think she made the right decision for herself and for the state of North Carolina. I think she was faced with a tough economy, a tough budget cycle, she didn't seem to have much if any friends in that process," he said.

Cope says so far, the state employees group has had a better working relationship with the current Republican-led General Assembly when compared to what he called the "good old boy" network that ran state government for many years.