NCAE chief resigns for political post

"My new job will allow me the opportunity to work with the NEA, other labor organizations, progressive constituencies and major political donors to create, nurture and sustain a community of state-based progressive investors and institutional partners throughout the country," he says.

NCAE has been a favorite target for Republican legislative leaders over the past two years, a fact to which Anderson refers in his letter. 

"As you know, NCAE has faced tremendous economic and political challenges. We have witnessed firsthand the devastation of austerity cuts to our public schools, have watched as traditional Democratically controlled institutions have given way to Tea Party-backed majorities and have come under increasing attacks from the right to our status as an employee organization as well as our ability to collect dues through payroll deduction," he writes.

"These issues are not isolated to North Carolina," Anderson adds. "From my own experience working in other states, I know that the systematic assault on communities in our country is perpetuated by a well-funded, well-organized movement on the right. More must be done in each state to stand up to this movement."

NCAE spokesman Brian Lewis said Anderson is about halfway through a four-year contract but has always gravitated toward politics.

"Scott comes out of the elections side of politics (Wesley Clark for President, Easley, etc.), and I think that side of the political world called when the Committee on the States executive left," Lewis said Monday night in an email to WRAL News. "Scott announced it to the board on Saturday in executive session, and he told me tonight they were very appreciative of his work and wished him well."