“I have strong reasons for being a Democrat. Basically if you want true fairness in society, you want to give a voice in the corridors of power for the people who otherwise would not have it, I believe that will come from the Democratic Party.

158 Attend Virtual Convention On Saturday

Representatives from all 41 organized Democratic precincts attended the annual convention on Zoom Saturday. The convention was held online for the first time this year because of the social distancing rules in place to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. County Chairman Richard Poole started the meeting with a moment of silence recognizing the suffering and deaths the pandemic has caused. He also urged Democrats to act quickly to request absentee ballots to vote in November. Poole said the Fall election will depend heavily on absentee by mail voting, which means election officials could be

overwhelmed if voters wait until October to request a ballot by mail. Poole estimated that if 40% of voters choose to vote by mail, that would represent a tenfold increase over the normal volume of ballots by mail. Click here to apply for your ballot by mail.

New Hanover County Commissioner Rob Zapple, was the keynote speaker at the Convention. Rob said Republicans are on the wrong side of dozens of crucial issues including the push to sell the county-owned New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Zapple (photo at right), "There has never been a time when government has been more important in the lives of Americans."

Thanks to Rob Zapple for the excellent keynote address, and to the many volunteers who made the Virtual Convention possible including Jim Fleagle, Madelene Henley, Steph Fetzer, Lani Hashimoto, and to the NCDP Field Organizers including Jesse Braughton, Surrayyah Chestnut, Savannah Fritz, Niayai Lavien.

Tilis Still in Lockstep as Trump Marches Us Off a Cliff

(From NCDP) Last week, the North Carolina Democratic Party released a new digital ad spotlighting Senator Tillis’ comments applauding the administration while nurses, doctors, and hospitals continue to beg the federal government for more personal protective equipment (PPE). (Click here to view the ad.) Even after President Trump's bizarre and frightening rant last week about curing COVID-19 by injecting bleach or somehow getting intense light under the skin, Tillis keeps marching behind the "Great Leader."

Senator Tillis has repeatedly praised the administration’s handling of the coronavirus, saying the President “has taken every step he can” and “demonstrated decisive action.” Meanwhile, North Carolina officials and medical workers have continued to beg the federal government to provide the supplies front-line workers need to combat the pandemic.

The ad focuses on how Senator Tillis has failed to stand up for North Carolina medical workers, including his refusal to question why the administration shipped 18 tons of PPE and other medical supplies to China.

A recent poll by Public Policy Polling demonstrates that Tillis is seriously out of step with his constituents. The Poll reflects that many more North Carolinians trust Governor Cooper to protect them from coronavirus than trust President Trump, by a margin of 55% to 33%. You can read the polling results here.

Republican Congressman Dan Bishop Joins Reopen NC Protesters

(From The Charlotte Observer) Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop’s Democratic opponent has blasted his participation in this week’s “Reopen NC” protest, the latest sign of how politics is coloring the COVID-19 response. Bishop joined an estimated 1,000 protesters in Raleigh on Tuesday urging Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper to lift the stay-at-home order that has closed many businesses. On Thursday Cooper extended the order through May 8. And on Friday, Cooper announced public schools across North Carolina will remain closed until at least August.

“Congressman Bishop’s participation in the march is reckless and dangerous,” Democrat Cynthia Wallace said in a release. “He should know better and be doing everything in his power to keep the citizens in our district safe.”

Ohio Plan For Vote by Mail Election May Be Thwarted by Slow Mail Delivery

(From The Cincinnati Enquirer) Ohio's plan for an almost all-mail primary election tomorrow may be foiled by slow mail deliveries. Ohio cancelled its in-person voting in mid-March, in favor of an all-mail election for most voters. Only disabled and homeless voters were to be permitted to vote in-person.

Now, however, just one day before Election Day, it appears that mail deliveries are requiring 7 to 9 days, and many voters have still not received ballots. To be accepted, their mail-in ballots must be postmarked not later than tomorrow. By law, all except homeless and handicapped voters are precluded from voting in person on Election Day. Secretary of State Frank LaRose has instructed local Boards of Elections to allow such voters to cast provisional ballots, but it is still unclear whether their ballots will be counted. Ohio voters who don't receive their ballots by mail may be forced to choose whether to cast an in-person ballot knowing that It may not even be counted.

You can read about the Ohio primary election here. You can apply for your absentee by mail ballot here to make sure that you won't have to choose between voting and protecting your health this Fall.

EVENTS

NHCDP Virtual Happy Hour Discussion About Local Businesses -- April 27

When: Monday April 27, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom

Join New Hanover Democrats for their weekly Virtual Happy Hour. This week we are inviting New Hanover business owners impacted by the Coronavirus, including Rachel Fox (Foxes Boxes), Mary Baggett Martin (Blockade Runner), Addie Wuensch (Bottega) and James Doss (Rx Restaurant) and possibly others.

If you are unfamiliar with Zoom, we recommend that you begin your efforts to sign in at 6:30. Use a laptop with a web cam or an iPad if you have one. If you need help, we have two volunteers who will help you get in: Jim Fleagle at (919) 426-3355 and Stephanie Fetzer at (704) 309-3918.

Join by Computer or iPad
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85252781938

One tap mobile
+16465588656,,85252781938#

Join by phone
+1 646 558 8656 US

Meeting ID: 852 5278 1938

A FREE Evening with Author Wiley Cash in Support of Leslie Cohen -- May 5

When: Tuesday, May 5, 7:00 p.m. (Sign-in starts at 6:45 p.m.)

Where: Zoom

Join New Hanover County Commission candidate Leslie Cohen for a free event through Zoom with Wilmingtonian and New York Times bestselling author, Wiley Cash! Enjoy intimate conversation with Cash where he'll discuss his latest novel and give an exclusive look into his upcoming work set in the Cape Fear region. For those who are able, donations will be gratefully accepted.

Click here to get your ticket: https://act.myngp.com/Forms/-1386370354450330368

7th Congressional District Convention -- May 16

When: Saturday, May 16, 10:00 a.m.

Where: Zoom, details TBA

A Conversation with Justice Earls and Judge Brook -- May 17

When: Sunday, May 17th, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom

Join Justice Anita Earls and Judge Chris Brook for a virtual event on May 17th. Judge Brook was appointed to the Court of Appeals by Governor Cooper in April of 2019 and is running for a full eight year term in November. A contribution is not required to join. To RSVP, please visit bit.ly/judgebrookmay17.

State Convention -- June 6

When: Saturday June 6

Where: TBD

We need to elect At-Large delegates to the Democratic National Convention at this meeting. For details about becoming a Delegate, click here. We will be in touch about plans for the convention.

Best,

Richard Poole, Chair

News Content by James Cummings

If you have any announcements, comments, questions or concerns regarding this email series, please contact the Editor here.

Paid for by the New Hanover County Democratic Party

Mailing Address:

NHCDP

PO Box 3036

Wilmington, NC 28406

Office Address:

5041 New Centre Drive

Wilmington, NC 28403

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