Risen from the political graveyard, Richard Morgan, the ousted N.C. House co-speaker, walloped two GOP primary opponents to earn his party's nomination for state superintendent of public instruction.

Democratic incumbent June Atkinson won her party's primary and will face a challenge from Morgan in November.

A former teacher, Atkinson worked for the state Department of Public Instruction for 27 years before narrowly winning election as state superintendent in 2004. She did not take office until August 2005 because of a lawsuit that disputed the result.

The election went to the General Assembly, and Atkinson recalled Tuesday that Morgan was one of only two Republicans in the state House to vote for her.

"But that's history," Atkinson, who lives in Raleigh, said with a chuckle.

Atkinson is using public financing to underwrite her re-election campaign.

Despite his healthy margin of victory Tuesday, Morgan could have a difficult time winning support from some in the core of his party.

In 2003, he struck a deal with the now-imprisoned Democrat Jim Black that made the duo co-speakers of the N.C. House. Working with the Democrats cost Morgan his house seat in 2006 after wealthy GOP activists financed his opponent in the party primary.

Of the $102,100 Morgan reported raising on a recent campaign finance report, $100,000 came from a personal loan.

Morgan, of Eagle Springs, said Tuesday night that he learned from his experience.

"Two years ago was hard," he said. "I remember that, but that is the past. This election is this year, and it's about the children."

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