Richmond County, Eighth District Dems Attend 2007 Senior Dems State Convention

When Senior Democrats from all across North Carolina recently gathered for their annual state convention, once again senior citizens from Richmond County and other Eighth Congressional District counties were well-represented.

Among the 2007 delegates were Glenn Sumpter, Robbyn Sumpter, and Lee Quick of Richmond County. Ms. Sumpter serves as the Secretary for the Statewide organization. Mr. Quick serves as President of the Richmond County county chapter. Joining them as special guests were State Representative Melanie Wade Goodwin and former lawmaker Wayne Goodwin. (Pictured, left to right, in the accompanying photograph.) Other legislators included Rep. Lorene Coates of Salisbury and former lawmaker B. Holt of Burlington.

The delegates heard inspiring remarks from U.S. Congressman Mel Watt, who previously served as President of the Congressional Black Caucus, North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, and NCDP chairman Jerry Meek. Larry Kissell, the 2006 Democratic nominee for Congress in the 8th District, and candidates for statewide office also attended. One of the statewide candidates was Pat Smathers, mayor of Canton and one of four Democratic candidates for Lt. Governor thus far.

The convention spanned two days in Salisbury, sponsored by the Rowan County Senior Democrats.

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Richmond County Dems Update Morrison-Deane-Goodman Dinner & Rally plans

Richmond County Democratic Party’s
MORRISON-DEANE-GOODMAN DINNER AND RALLY,
Nov. 8th in Hamlet:
Hackney, Goodwin, Kissell and Statewide Candidates to Speak



Note: Changed Date, Location, Additional Keynote since April 2007 posting

On the heels of the successful event last year where 500+ Democrats from the region turned out, the 2nd Annual Morrison-Deane-Goodman rally has been re-scheduled for Thursday, November 8, 2007.

Instead of the Hamlet Fairgrounds, the dinner and rally will be at American Legion Post 49. The post is on Veterans Drive, just down from Hamlet City Lake and Business U.S. Highway 74 in Hamlet.

The anticipated charge is only $10 per person for dinner. Candidates and others may purchase ads in the program book. Ad costs will span between $25 and $500. Doors will open at 6 pm.

Another terrific change is confirmation of who will deliver formal remarks: Representative Joe Hackney, the esteemed Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives.

Hackney has served in the General Assembly since 1980, and was recently installed as President of the National Conference of State Legislatures. He represents Chatham, Moore, and Orange counties in Raleigh.

Speaker Hackney will arrive after attending a fundraiser reception that same date for State Representative Melanie Wade Goodwin at the Hamlet Train Depot on Main Street, Hamlet. That reception begins at 5 pm. (More information on the Goodwin reception will appear later in a separate posting.)

In addition to remarks from Speaker Hackney, others will have the microphone. The 2006 Democratic nominee for Congress, Larry Kissell of Montgomery County, and state party chairman Jerry Meek will address the assembled crowd. As at all political events, the Richmond County Democratic Party will allow other Democratic candidates for Statewide, Congressional, regional and local offices the chance to greet the crowd.

The event is held in honor and memory of three great Democrats who hailed from Richmond County: Cameron Morrison, former Governor and U.S. Senator; C.B. Deane, former Congressman and early advocate for civil rights reforms in the 1950s; and, R.W. Goodman, longest-serving elected Sheriff in North Carolina at 44 consecutive years and political patron for more than six decades.

Please mark your calendar and make plans to attend!

We particularly ask Statewide and regional candidates to put this as a must-attend event in ink on their schedules. Not only will you have the rare opportunity to meet a multitude of Democratic voters from Richmond and surrounding counties, this may be one of the few times before the May 2008 primary for you to get your message directly and in-person to a solidly Democratic corner of the Eighth Congressional District.

For more information, contact the following:

Svea Strong
Chairman, Richmond County Democratic Party
910-997-5866
Letmeread@carolina.rr.com

Robbyn Sumpter
Treasurer, Richmond County Democratic Party
Secretary, Senior Democrats of North Carolina
910-582-2950
sumpter@etinternet.net

Regarding sponsorships, ads:
Wayne Goodwin
Chairman, Eighth Congressional District Democratic Party
910-997-1301
gwaynegoodwin@gmail.com

Sanford-Hunt Legacy Drives Future of Tar Heel Democrats

Sanford-Hunt Legacy Drives the Future of Tar Heel Democrats
By Wayne Goodwin, 26 Aug 2007

The State Executive Committee meeting yesterday in Greensboro was, once again, a celebration of what the North Carolina Democratic Party is about.

In addition to considering each of the recommended resolutions and action items (passing some, referring others back to committee, opposing others), Democrats from all across the Tar Heel State made much from their pilgrimage to Guilford County.



There we gathered, organized, rejoiced, reflected, and inspired.

We shared how our religious faith and values guide us in doing what we believe is right for North Carolina.

We learned about the growing intricacies of election laws, and witnessed what is driving our various candidates for 2008 to offer themselves up for public service.

And - as at last year’s Sanford-Hunt gala - many Democrats hoped to hear Governor Jim Hunt proclaim that he, once again, would be a candidate.

Alas, that last part was not meant to be.

Governor Hunt – personally and through the legacy of his leadership in education and emerging issues - has mentored a growing farm team for our State’s Democrats. Both that Hunt farm team and its accomplishments will expand as its candidates successfully seek the Governor’s Mansion and other Council of State positions next year, not to mention U.S. Senate and Congress, and inspire yet more folks to walk firmly in the footsteps of great leaders such as Terry Sanford.


Yes, our political party has many accomplishments of
which to be proud.

Those achievements will replicate as the Sanford-Hunt farm team continues to step up to the plate.

And, the home runs we Democrats will hit will far outlast those of Barry Bonds.

Truly, our best years are still to come.