State Dems Gather in New Bern: Eighth District's Prominent Role

As North Carolina's Democrats gather in New Bern today for the 2008 convention, it is worth noting the prominent role that the Eighth Congressional District and its delegates will have.

First of all, everyone will cheer on the Everyman of Democratic candidates for Congress: Larry Kissell of Biscoe. He is ahead in the polls, he has a stellar team, and he's got "the Big Mo" that winning grassroots campaigns must have. Expect the 1,000+ Dems in New Bern to chant his name with the hopes, intensity and fervor for every voter back west in the 8th to hear it and vote accordingly!

Second, we have a significant number of African-American Democrats, young Democrats, and disaffected rural Democrats in the Eighth District who are feeling an excitement comparable to none before: They see the incredible organizational skills of Senator Barack Obama's team touching communities that have heretofor never seen a presidential race. I still can't believe that even in my hometown of Hamlet - of all places - there was an Obama field office! A strong turnount of Dems in the Eighth will lift the fortunes of EVERY Democrat on the ballot (including yours truly), so a super-jazzed, uber-exhilarated Eighth is the key to victory, in my opinion.

Third, the Eighth is home to a fantastic array of candidates and officials who are carrying the banner high for the party and for the best interests of our region. Besides the previously mentioned Kissell, we have:

State Rep. Melanie Wade Goodwin (first on my list for many reasons!)
State Rep. Tricia Cotham (whose fiance, Jerry Meek, is NCDP Chairman and a future 8th District resident)
State Sen. Dan Clodfelter
State Rep. Garland Pierce
State Rep. Pryor Gibson
State Rep. Doug Yongue
State Sen. Bill Purcell
State Rep. Rick Glazier
NCDP First Vice Chairwoman Dannie Montgomery
Monroe Mayor Pro Tem Phil E. Bazemore
Walter Rogers of the 8th District Black Caucus
Anthony Copeland, also of the Black Caucus
Hoke County Sheriff Hubert Peterkin
Cumberland County Sheriff Moose Butler
Richmond County Sheriff Dale Furr
Anson County Sheriff Tommy Allen
Stanly County Commissioner Sherrill Smith
Judge Tanya Wallace
Judge Kevin Bridges
Judge Tripp Helms
Almeta Armstrong, Montgomery County School Board
the many active Democrats from the 8th who are going to Denver as national delegates;
and,
Wayne Goodwin, Democratic Party nominee for NC Insurance Commissioner

... and the list could go on, and on, and on!

So as Democrats gather to rally for this weekend's State Convention, and with all the firepower that we have in our Congressional district, do expect the 8th to be upfront and outfront in leading the charge for victory in November!

Get Ready for Nov 8: Richmond County's Morrison-Deane-Goodman Democratic Dinner & Rally

2nd ANNUAL
MORRISON-DEANE-GOODMAN DEMOCRATIC DINNER & RALLY

THIS THURSDAY, November 8th

Dinner @ 6:30 pm, Program @ 7:15 pm
Hamlet American Legion Post 49
402 Lakeside Drive, off U.S. Hwy 74 Business
Hamlet (across from the Armory)

Democrats and Unaffiliated Voters are invited to join us for dinner and the program.

ONLY $10 per person.

An old-fashioned chicken bog, prepared the traditional way.

Call 582-2950 or 997-1301 for more details. Sponsorships range from $25 to $500.

Among those providing remarks are:

House Speaker Joe Hackney of Chatham County
Speaker of the N.C. House of Representatives

Walter Dalton, Pat Smathers, Dan Besse, and Hampton Dellinger
Candidates for Lt. Governor

House Majority Leader Hugh Holliman
State Representative, Davidson County

Insurance Commissioner Jim Long

Janet Cowell, State Senator and candidate for NC State Treasurer

Michael Weisel, Candidate for NC State Treasurer

Larry Kissell, 2006 Congressional nominee

Linda Stephens, Court of Appeals Judge

Bill Purcell, State Senator

Melanie Wade Goodwin, State Representative

Eddie Davis, President of NC Assn of Educators & Candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction

Wayne Goodwin, Asst. Insurance Commissioner, 8th District Chairman and former legislator

Jerry Meek, NCDP State Chairman

Judge Kristin Ruth, candidate for NC Court of Appeals

Tricia Cotham, one of several legislator-guests

plus other State & Local Officials, Candidates

Special Music: Richmond County’s own Vickie Daniel!

Our Democratic candidates support: Public Education. Fiscal and Personal Responsibility. Economic Progress. Opportunity for Growth. Security. Justice. Public Safety. God, Country, Faith and Family.

Make Your Voice Heard: Please Vote. The future of our nation depends upon it.

Immediately before this event, State Representative Melanie Wade Goodwin will have her campaign kick-off reception at the historic Hamlet Train Depot, 2 Main Street, Hamlet. 5:30-6:30 pm. Suggested donation: $25-$50. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by calling 910-997-1301 or emailing gwaynegoodwin@gmail.com

8th District Well-Represented at Vance-Aycock Dinner

Our fellow 8th Congressional District Democrats should be quite pleased to know that our area was well-represented at last weekend's annual Asheville gala at the historic Grove Park Inn. (The issue of a probable name change of this annual NC Democratic Party dinner will be held in abeyance until the January 2008 State Executive Committee meeting.)

In addition to yours truly of Richmond County, I saw the following folks who hail from one of our 10 counties:

Drew Arrowood - Cabarrus
State Representative Tricia Cotham - Mecklenburg
Sarah Gulledge - Stanly
Larry Kissell - Montgomery
Dannie Montgomery - Anson
Bill Mullinix - Stanly
Leanne Powell - Cabarrus
Elizabeth Roscoe - Stanly
Nancy Rorie - Union
Michael Taylor - Stanly
Judge Susan Taylor - Stanly
U.S. Marshal Becky Wallace (ret.) - Stanly

(State Representative Melanie Wade Goodwin sent her regrets for missing the Asheville weekend gala but had good cause: She remained in Richmond County to attend various district events, and to take our daughter to church. Though I may be biased in saying so, Melanie is doing a phenomenal job looking after the needs of both her constituents and her daughter!)

And, though he lives in Carrboro now, it was also great to see Thomas Mills working the Jim Neal for U.S. Senate hospitality suite. Thomas's father was a long-time jurist here in the Anson County region, Judge Fetzer Mills.

Others with 8th District connections were sprinkled throughout the crowd, a crowd ecstatic about the coming elections and the promise that Democratic leadership from bow to stern offers America. (Let me know of other District folks that you'd like for us to highlight here by either adding a comment to the blog or by dropping me an email message.)

Incidentally, members of the 8th Congressional District also joined countless colleagues from across the Tar Heel State in Insurance Commissioner Jim Long's hospitality suite. The dean of the Council of State did indeed provide ample hospitality, and fun was had by all. For political pundits, activists and strategists the gathering proved to be the ideal place to fraternize, analyze, plot and scheme. I was further pleased to see a strong friend of our district there, Chief Justice Sarah Parker, and many of both our young Democrats and our stalwart party leaders who have slogged through many a campaign.

Apart from what the 8th District was up to in Asheville, I will soon share some terrific news with you that will be a tremendous booster shot to our growing efforts to re-take our Congressional seat and to energize a vital base of our Party. Stay tuned!

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.

# # #

Rep. Rick Glazier to Seek Re-election and Not Congress

According to the Fayetteville Observer and our good friends over at the "Under the Dome" blog today, State Representative Rick Glazier of Cumberland County has formally stated his decision to forego a bid for Congress in the 8th District.

This apparently leaves only two Democrats in the 2008 race for Congress: Larry Kissell - the 2004 Democratic nominee who lost to Republican Robin Hayes by a scant 320 votes - and John Autry.

From what I have heard from many folks throughout the district (including both persons who know Rick and those who do not), his decision was welcomed.

Rep. Glazier is an excellent legislator, and has been a work-horse (not a show horse, as some lawmakers are, God bless 'em) dedicated to progressive policies in the NC General Assembly. Rick is probably one of the most ardent voices for public education in the State. He has also been an advocate for improvements in our courts and in their pursuit of justice. Rick's decision to seek re-election will help him further the depth of his service on this and other issues. It will also help keep a Democratic majority in the House.

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

What would an 8th District Democratic Congressman's Top Ten list be?

Several weeks ago there was a mini-burst of activity on this site by supporters of two candidates for Congress in North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District. I say "two" candidates because about a week ago I received a letter from John Autry's campaign specifically identifying his manager, website, and opening of a committee with the Federal Elections Commission. (Thank you for mailing that to me, by the way.) Autry lives in Charlotte and ran in the 2006 Democratic primary. Larry Kissell, a Biscoe educator, has been a 2008 candidate since the end of his extremely close 2006 race in the general election. And there may be others who haven't officially made their decisions about Congress yet. One person who may fit into that category is State Representative Rick Glazier of Fayetteville, whose name occasionally pops up in news coverage or other blogs on the subject.

OK, here is my first set of questions I pose to candidate (Kissell and Autry) and potential candidate (Glazier? Others?), and their respective supporters alike:

What would a Democratic Congressman in the 8th Congressional District do?

With apologies to David Letterman, what would your Top Ten List be for the Eighth Congressional District?

In other words, what would your action items be?

I welcome your comments and proposals.