Because This Is America!

Weekly News, Updates, and Events

We As Democrats Believe:

“Character is on the ballot. Compassion is on the ballot. Decency, science, democracy: they are all on the ballot. Who we are as a nation. What we stand for. And, most importantly, who we want to be. That’s all on the ballot.” 
 
Joe Biden, Democratic Nominee for President of the United States

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NEWS

An Ally of the Light, Not the Darkness
 
               
 
 
In the speech of a lifetime on Thursday night, former Vice President Joe Biden accepted the Democratic Party's nomination as its 2020 candidate for President.
In the address, Biden said that our current President has "cloaked America in darkness" with fear, anger and division. He promised to replace Donald Trump's dystopian "American carnage" vision with a sense of promise and unity.
 
"It’s a moment that calls for hope and light and love. Hope for our futures, light to see our way forward, and love for one another."

The Work of Electing Democrats in 2020 is Just Beginning; Give Us Your Campaign Stories, Reflections

Excitement in the Democratic Party is at a high pitch in the wake of a phenomenal convention that showed the commitment, unity, diversity, talent and energy of a party that is devoted to turning the ship of state off its current disastrous course. It's up to Democrats like us to keep turning that excitement into action through the work we do on the local level. It's you, your neighbors, your family who are already doing what it takes to educate the public, safeguard the right to vote and do all the little things that will put and keep Democrats in office.
 
So, what has the work been like? Tell us what you have been doing, what you're hearing, what's changed from campaigns of the past. Periodically we'll share some of your stories in this Weekly Update. Here are some notes from local party member Dennis Dixon:
 
A lot of us are asking which campaign activities are an acceptable risk in this pandemic. For many, door knocking and talking to voters seem too risky at this time. I decided to join a Lit Drop organized by the Leslie Cohen campaign. ("Lit drop" means leaving a packet at the door) The volunteer works from a list of voters prepared by the campaign. Depending on the size of the list, the volunteer may compete a list in a single shift or in several shifts. Lit dropping is important to candidates, especially during the current pandemic when large public forums are not possible. Naturally, volunteers want to evaluate the risk of exposure to the COVID 19 virus in the course of leaving materials at front doors.

In my experience, working from a list designed by Leslie’s team, actual interaction with voters was rare. On one occasion a voter happened to open the door just as I approached. I handed her the door hanger with no actual physical contact. She received the hanger with a smile, and minimal conversation.

Longtime School Administrator Will Focus on "Social Diversity Learning Gap" if Elected to School Board
 
Hugh F. McManus has spent more than 40 years educating the youth of New Hanover County with most of that time in leadership positions at Trask Junior High, and Hoggard, Topsail and Cape Fear Academy high schools. Hugh is now running to put that experience to work as a member of the New Hanover County Board of Education. Hugh said he thinks he brings a strong history of successful leadership "having dealt with every conceivable issue in a school and with the board."
 
Holding a B.A. from Wake Forest University and a Master's Degree from UNC, Hugh won several principal of the year awards and an Association Administrator of the Year award from NC Scholastic Media. Retired since 2016, Hugh is married, has two adult children and two grandchildren, ages 9 and 11. As a school board member, he would advocate for increased internet access for students, increased transparency on the board, improved counseling for students, teachers and staff, and a "virtual top gun staff" to provide virtual learning workshops for staff, students and parents. 
 
One of Hugh's top priorities would be addressing inequalities in the educations of students based on socioeconomic status. "We are in a crisis in this country and in education where the social diversity learning gap has grown exponentially," Hugh said. He said the divide between what the children from prosperous households achieve academically compared to what poor children achieve threatens the academic and professional future of New Hanover students, especially minority students. 
 
David Lewis Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges
 
(From NCDP) On Thursday, Republican Rep. David Lewis, trusted advisor to Speaker Tim Moore and architect of modern Republican gerrymandering and voter suppression in North Carolina, resigned after pleading guilty to federal charges of making false statements to a bank and failing to file a tax return. As Rules Chair, David Lewis controlled the flow of nearly all legislative business in the North Carolina House.  He was a top lieutenant of Speaker Tim Moore, entrusted with the passage of bills of the highest importance to Republicans.
 
Indicative of a culture of corruption, this is the second Republican House Rules Chair to be convicted of federal charges this decade. Stephen LaRoque of Kinston, a former co-chair of House Rules, was previously convicted of embezzlement. These charges come just one day after former congressman and N.C. Republican Party Chairman Robin Hayes was sentenced to probation for his role in a bribery scheme.
 
Representative Graig Meyer: “North Carolinians cannot trust Speaker Tim Moore and House Republicans to legislate in the people’s best interest when key members of his team put their own personal interests first and foremost.”
 
New Hanover County Democrats Support Black Lives Matter -- A Statement from the Party

In the days since the death of George Floyd and many other victims of police violence, the Black Lives Matter movement has protested against US institutions that do not value black lives. Black Lives Matter recognizes that there is an epidemic of police violence and injustice directed at black people. According to a recent poll by USA today, 65% of Americans support Black Lives Matter, spurred in part by the graphic examples of black citizens killed during encounters with police, with many documented on video. See a news story about the poll here. Numerous other polls show similar levels of support.

Some criticize the Black Lives Matter movement for failing to elevate and value white lives in our society. This is an evasion, willfully ignoring the many black deaths documented on video, and the fact that there is no similar epidemic of police violence against white people. Michelle Obama said it in her speech at the Democratic National Convention: “as George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and a never-ending list of innocent people of color continue to be murdered, stating the simple fact that a Black life matters is still met with derision from the nation’s highest office.”

The New Hanover County Democratic Party unequivocally supports the Black Lives Matter movement. Former President Barack Obama and presidential candidate Joe Biden call on us to stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter: “Americans of all races [are] joining together to declare, in the face of injustice and brutality at the hands of the state, that Black Lives Matter, no more, but no less, so that no child in this country feels the continuing sting of racism.”

Blue Ballots Now Available
 
 
We recently printed Version 1 of the Blue Ballot.  Click the image to view an enlargement. Thanks to Kimberly McCall for designing it, and Stephanie Fetzer for proofreading. You can click on the image to the left to see a larger version, which you can print in landscape mode. You can also click it on your iPhone and save it to photos for later reference.
 
We need your help to distribute them. In previous years we passed these out at events, hung them on doors during canvasses, distributed them at churches, and handed them out at polling locations. All of these methods of distributing Blue Ballots may be difficult or impossible this year. If you have ideas about a place or event to distribute them, we ask you to click here and give us your ideas. Do you go to a church that will set them out? A restaurant? An event?  Will you distribute them at Black Lives Matter rallies? Please put on your thinking cap and give us your ideas.
 
In addition, last week, the NHCDP ordered 20,000 blue ballot door hangers.
 
County Democratic Party Office Staffed On Wednesdays
 
The New Hanover County Democratic Party office at 5401 New Centre Drive, Wilmington will be staffed on Wednesdays from noon to 2:00 p.m.  , and we anticipate adding days in the weeks to come. We will use the office primarily for pick up and drop off of yard signs, blue ballots and similar items. We do not anticipate scheduling meetings at this time. 
Our Office Manager is Harry Tuchmayer. Harry wants to make this work and is willing to discuss alternative arrangements if Wednesday 12-2 pm does not work for you. You can reach him at (910) 616-8552. 
 
 
Democrat campaigns and volunteers really need this this service but we need to make it safe for volunteers and visitors: 

  • We require masks and distancing.

  • Visitors will be blocked inside the door by tables preventing further entry.

  • Nobody enters further without consent of the volunteers. 

  • One customer inside the door at a time. 

  • Others should wait in the hall, socially distanced.

 
 
EVENTS

 

Combined Campaign Virtual Phone Banks for Joe Biden Now Through November 3

 

When: Every day except Monday.

Where: Join Phone Bank and call from home 

 

Team Joe supporters from Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, and Pender counties are invited for a virtual phone bank to make phone calls to voters. Training will be provided.

 

Lit Drop for Leslie Cohen  -- Now through October 15

 

When: Now through October 15

Where: Register here to participate.

 

Because of the pandemic, volunteers cannot safely canvass voters as in the past. Instead, the Leslie Cohen for New Hanover County Board of Commissioners campaign needs volunteers to help spread Leslie's message across New Hanover County by lit-dropping in neighborhoods. This can be done on the volunteer's schedule at any time of day, since the campaign isn't trying to reach voters face-to-face. Lit-dropping involves dropping off campaign literature at voters’ homes. Safety is the campaign's biggest priority. Volunteers probably won’t have to interact with anyone as they drop off literature, but they will wear a mask just in case and use gloves and/or carry hand sanitizer to use as needed.

 

Virtual Phone Banks for Adam Ericson -- Wednesdays through October 28

 

When: Wednesdays from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. through October 28 

Where: Join Phone Bank here and call from home 

 

Adam Ericson is running against Republican Ted Davis Jr. for the position of State Representative for District 20.

 

Virtual Phone Banks for Harper Peterson -- Thursdays through October 29

 

When: Thursdays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. through October 28 

Where: Join Phone Bank here and call from home 

Harper Peterson's campaign for State Senate will be hosting a weekly phone bank every Thursday from 6 to 8 through October 28. 

NAACP School Board Forum on Facebook Live -- August 25

 

When: Tuesday, August 25, 6:00 p.m.

Where: Facebook live link here

 

The New Hanover County NAACP along with the Wilmington Chapter of Links, Inc., National Pan-Hellenic Council-SE NC and the Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will host a series of Forums beginning with the Commissioner Forum on August 11th on Facebook live. The event will also be uploaded to YouTube for later viewing. Please send any questions to [email protected].

 

Namaste at Home Yoga Class with Team Marcia -- August 29

 

When: Saturday, August 29, 10:00 a.m.

Where: Virtual event. Sign up here.

 

In the midst of a pandemic, hurricane season and the current administration, who couldn't use a little time to breathe, stretch and have a Zen moment? Join Team Marcia for Namaste at Home Yoga, a virtual yoga class led by Amy Sawyer of Island Wellness. This gentle class is appropriate for all skill levels and no special equipment is required; just a willingness to participate. Register today for this much-needed moment of self-care. Tickets: $20. Proceeds support the candidacy of Maricia Morgan for NC House District 19. 

 

Reception for NC Attorney General Josh Stein  -- September 2

 

When: Wednesday, September 2, 6:00 p.m.

Where: Online

 

This event will take place by teleconference for supporters in the Wilmington area at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, September 2nd. To attend or to contribute, click here.

 

The 2020 Election Begins Today  -- September 4

 

When: Friday, September 4

Where: Your Mailbox

 

We estimate that 20,000 vote by mail ballots will be sent to New Hanover residents on September 4th. They will be mailed to everyone who previously filed an application for an absentee ballot.  Here's what you must do to make your absentee ballot count: Read and follow the instructions carefully and make your do these three things: (1) sign it, (2) make sure your witness signs and fills our their information, and (3) return it promptly with postage of 55 cents.

 

Legislative Candidate Facebook Live Forum Hosted by NAACP -- September 8

 

When: Tuesday, September 8, 6:00 p.m. 

Where: Facebook live link here

 

The New Hanover County NAACP along with the Wilmington Chapter of Links, Inc., National Pan-Hellenic Council-SE NC and the Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will host a Facebook live forum with legislative candidates. Any questions you wish to have asked please inbox the New Hanover County NAACP or email [email protected]

 

Celia and Friends Fundraiser for Marcia Morgan -- September 24

 

When: Thursday, September 24, 6:45 p.m. sponsor reception, 7:00 p.m. main event.  

Where: Register here. 

 

In times like these, don't we all need a good laugh to keep from crying? Award-winning syndicated humor columnist and New York Times bestselling author Celia Rivenbark will join the Marcia Morgan Team for an evening filled with her trademark wit and humor, and she'll be joined by a few friends who have their own talents to share. This is a FREE virtual event but sponsorships are available at a number of levels. Proceeds support the candidacy of Maricia Morgan for NC House District 19. 

 

Vote Counting Begins -- September 29

 

When: Tuesday, September 29

Where: Online

 

The Board of Elections will begin counting the absentee ballots around September 29th. No results will be announced, but your ballot will be scanned, and you will able to confirm online that it has been received and accepted. If you are in this group, your vote will be announced on Election Day right after the polls close.

 

Costume Party and Scavenger Hunt with Marcia Morgan -- October 15

 

When: Thursday, October 15, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Resigter here.

 

Come help Marcia Morgan celebrate the start of early voting and have a little fun before the presidential debate with a costume party & scavenger hunt with Team Marcia. There will be voting on and awarding prizes for the best costumes in a variety of categories, an at-home scavenger hunt, lessons on how to make a signature cocktail and much more! Sign up now for Marcia's last fundraiser for the 2020 election cycle and join the Team for what will be a fun and memorable evening. Tickets are $25 and sponsorships are available. Proceeds support the candidacy of Maricia Morgan for NC House District 19. 

 

 

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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