RALEIGH - In the first major endorsement of the 2008 governor's race, the largest teachers' advocacy group Saturday signaled that it intends to back Democratic Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue.

Perdue received the nod from the N.C. Association of Educators' Government Relations Commission, which intends to submit its recommendation to its full membership for ratification.

The move comes as no surprise to political observers. During her long career in the legislature and her two terms as lieutenant governor, Perdue has been a close ally of the teachers' lobby.

Last week, her chief rival for the Democratic nomination, state Treasurer Richard Moore, asked the group to postpone its endorsement until after Perdue formally announces her candidacy.

Eddie Davis, the NCAE president, said Perdue and Moore as well as Republican candidates -- former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr and state Sen. Fred Smith -- all had appeared before the NCAE panel Saturday for interviews.

Davis said Perdue has a long history of supporting education initiatives, including efforts in the 1990s to raise North Carolina teacher salaries to the national average.

The NCAE claims 70,000 members including teachers, other school employees and retired educators. The group is heavily courted by candidates, particularly Democrats, because they have a long involvement in working for candidates they support.

But as the Moore campaign noted last week, many of the candidates they have supported have not been successful.

Ballots will be sent to members for a concurrence vote, with the results announced on Sept. 29. Ratification of the political committee's recommendations in the past has been considered pro forma.

"As a former public school teacher, I understand the challenges facing public school teachers and education professionals," Perdue said. "They hold the key to our children's future. And working together, I know we can create the best schools and most educated work force in America. I am honored by the faith they have shown in me."