Anita Earls and Allison Riggs Headline You Can Vote Event

Years of anti-democratic gerrymandering and voter suppression in North Carolina may be on the verge of improvement due in part to the efforts of the Southern Coalition for Social Justice. The SCSJ was founded by Civil Rights attorney and now-NC Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls.

Justice Earls will appear at a fundraising event on November 13th for the nonpartisan You Can Vote group, which is dedicated to voter registration, education and turnout. You Can Vote has been active in New Hanover County since 2018, and has demonstrated its effectiveness in voter registration and education.

Justice Earls was elected to the NC Supreme Court in 2018 with the enthusiastic support of New Hanover Democrats and is said to be on some short lists for the US Supreme Court in the event that a Democratic President is elected in 2020.

Justice Earls will be joined at the You Can Vote event by SCSJ's Chief Counsel for Voting Rights, Allison Riggs. Allison has worked for SCSJ since 2009 and has represented state NCAAP conferences in Virginia, Florida, Texas and North Carolina. 

Allison's accomplishments are many: While she was still at law school in Florida, she worked on an initiative that resulted in an amendment to the Florida Constitution that restored voting rights to Florida felons who had finished serving their sentences. At SCSJ, she argued League of Women Voters v. North Carolina​ at the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, which resulted in a holding by the court that North Carolina's voter ID law discriminated against minorities "with almost surgical precision." She has argued several gerrymandering cases, including a Supreme Court argument in Common Cause v. Rucho. The Rucho case considered North Carolina's extreme partisan gerrymandering and resulted in the Supreme Court's notorious decision holding that partisan gerrymandering claims are "nonjusticiable" in Federal Courts. Rucho, and cases like it, opened the door to the recent progress in state courts in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, where partisan gerrymandering is been challenged on grounds that it violates state constitutions.

At the age of 36, Riggs has already racked up a lifetime of accomplishments. You can get a sense of what Allison's work life is like in this feature article in TeenVogue magazine. Bring your daughter! Find details below.

Leslie Cohen Endorses Marcia Morgan in District 19, Vows To Run In 2020

The currently proposed maps setting the boundaries for North Carolina House seats have "double-bunked" candidates Leslie Cohen and Marcia Morgan in House District 19, where Morgan ran in 2018. Cohen has announced that she will not run against Morgan. She still plans to run in 2020, but it's not yet clear which seat she will seek. 

Last year, Leslie Cohen lost in a tight race against incumbent Republican Holly Grange for the NC House District 20 seat, which at the time covered the northern section of New Hanover County including Ogden, Kings Grant, Porters Neck, and Figure Eight Island. A three-judge panel in Wake County ordered the legislature to redraw House district lines, which they did in September. Plaintiffs moved the Court to redraw the lines again, and the Court has not yet ruled on the motion.  Cohen said she hopes to run in the newly drawn District 20. 

Cohen said of Morgan, "I will not run against her if, when the final maps are approved, I am in her district. I am proud to call her my friend, and I would be proud to have her represent me in Raleigh." Cohen said her campaign is working on contingency plans to get on the ballot in 2020 once the district maps are finalized.

Wilmington Health CEO Jeff James Raises Questions about New Hanover Regional Medical Center Sale

Questions continue to mount as the New Hanover County commissioners consider whether to sell the New Hanover Regional Medical Center, the largest county-owned hospital in the state. Wilmington Health is the largest independent system of health providers and specialty medical facilities. The group's CEO in a recently released a statement expressing concerns about the proposed sale.

The first concern he expressed is that the "Partnership Advisory Group" set up to advise on the sale includes physicians affiliated with the hospital but none from independent group practices like Wilmington Health.  He also questions the practice of requiring members of the advisory group to sign confidentiality agreements, ensuring that the process will not be open and transparent. He went on to say that although he was not opposing a sale, "the case to sell the hospital has not been made" 

The County Commission passed a Resolution of Intent To Sell on September 16 on a 3 to 2 vote. Despite the passage  of the "Resolution of Intent to Sell," its proponents denied that a decision has been made to sell the hospital. They contend that the process they have begun will enable the Commission to consider a range of options including remaining a nonprofit in county ownership or affiliating with a larger health care system.

Senator Tillis Locked in Tough Primary Fight

(From NCDEMS) Incumbent Republican Thom Tillis, one of the least popular U.S. Senators up for election in 2020, finds himself in a nasty GOP primary. Tillis has been dragged into a back-and-forth with conservative businessman Garland Tucker, and has launched a new TV ad defending his record from Tucker's attacks on the right. Tillis is spending heavily to beat back a challenge from Tucker, something that could be a real problem for a senator with "underwhelming" fundraising and who keeps getting booed at Trump rallies.

A recent analysis of Senator Tillis' fundraising shows he gets almost all his support from big money, special interest donors and little from average North Carolinians:

• “Tillis has raised just 4% of his money from small-dollar donors, defined as those who give $200 or less.”
• “…Tillis ranks second in the Senate for the 2020 cycle in PAC money received…”
• “Tillis has received the second-most amount of money among senators from the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, trailing only Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican.”
• “…lobbyists have donated more than $400,000 to Tillis’ campaign.”
• Several of the wealthy special interests backing Tillis are currently lobbying “against legislation to cap the amount of money patients can be charged for out-of-network care — often known as surprise medical bills.”

 

EVENTS

Early Voting For Municipal Elections Happening Now Through Friday November 1

 

Early voting is underway at Government Center, 230 Government Center Drive.  You can find the schedule here.

 

Kickoff Party for Marcia Morgan Statehouse Campaign -- October 29

 

When: Tuesday, October 29, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Where: Blockade Runner Resort, 275 Waynick Blvd., Wrightsville Beach

 

Marcia Morgan is kicking off her campaign for NC House District 19. Marcia Morgan, a retired Army Colonel, is coming out of retirement "to serve my community and country once again." And evening of food, drinks and conversations will feature guests Dr. Kyle Horton and comedian Willis Maxwell. For tickets and to RSVP click here.

 

When:  Saturday, November 2, 2019, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Where:  Ogden Park Shelter #2, 615 Ogden Park Dr, Wilmington

 

Join Democrats from the Harnett precincts for food and fellowship at the One Year To Victory picnic. Each Precinct will be bringing food to share with an Italian theme. Lasagna or other favorites welcome! Sign up and your Precinct Chair will contact you with further details of the event. We are planning multiple sessions with experts to comment on topics such as the state of gerrymandering and our new districts, our local fisheries, composting, and protecting our trees. Representative Deb Butler and other local elected officials and candidates will join the crowd to get us revved up for 2020. One Year to Victory! Plan to arrive promptly at 1:00 so that you do not miss the food and lively discussion. Kid Friendly! 

 

Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/y35e2cxy

 

Precincts W12 & W31 Pre-election Social -- November 3

 

When: Sunday, November 3, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Where: Wilmington Brewing Company, 824 S. Kerr Ave., Wilmington

 

Democrats of W12 and W31 are inviting their neighbors to "Unite for Democracy! (and Beer!)". Candidates are invited and snacks will be provided.

 

Election Day -- November 5

 

When: Tuesday, November 5, during normal polling hours

Where: In-person polling stations around New Hanover County

 

Elections for city councils, school boards and other offices will be conducted at regular polling stations. To confirm where you vote and to see a sample ballot for your precinct, visit the New Hanover County Board of Elections site here. 

 

'Party to the Polls' Event for Devon Scott -- November 5

 

When: Tuesday, November 5, 4:00 p.m.

Where: Reggies 42nd Street Tavern, 1415 42nd Street, Wilmington

 

This party is the culmination of the Devon Scott mayoral campaign, the last push to get out the vote before election day on Tuesday November 5th. 

 

'One Year Out' Fundraiser for Planned Parenthood -- November 7

 

When: Thursday, November 7, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Where: Blockade Runner Resort, 275 Waynick Blvd., Wrightsville Beach

 

Join Planned Parenthood VOTES! South Atlantic and hear from Rep. Deb Butler and Sen. Harper Peterson about what it will take to have a majority win in 2020 for reproductive rights! You will also hear from our VP of External Affairs, Paige Johnson. Tickets are $50. For reservations click here. 

 

Roundtable Discussion in Support of Harper Peterson -- November 10

 

When: Sunday, November 10, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Where: 305 South Lumina Avenue, Wrightsville Beach

 

Please join NC Senator Harper Peterson for a round table discussion. Friends and neighbors will share 10-20 written words to one question, "What moment in American history galvanized your love for our country?" Enjoy great company, hors d'oeuvres, beer & wine, and lively conversation with a beautiful oceanfront view. RSVP here: bit.ly/DiscussionwithNCSenatorPeterson

 

You Can Vote Fundraiser With Anita Earls and Allison Riggs -- November 13

 

When: Wednesday, November 13, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Where:  Home of Sherwin Suddreth & Morris West, Wrightsville Beach

 

You Can Vote is an organization that supports voter registration, education, empowerment and turnout. YCV Founder and Executive Director Kate Fellman will be there to share You Can Vote’s plan to reach historic turnout levels for 2020. Guest Speakers will be Anita Earls, Associate Justice Supreme Court of North Carolina, and Allison Riggs, Voting Rights Chief Council for the Southern Coalition for Social Justice. Click here for additional information and to RSVP.

Reception to Honor Mal Maynard -- November 21

 

When: Thursday, November 21, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: City Club of Wilmington, 23 S. 2nd Street, Wilmington

 

The North Carolina Justice Center is hosting a reception for Mal Maynard of the Financial Protection Law Center for his years of extraordinary advocacy and commitment to the practice of community law. The NC Justice Center works to reduce poverty and to build an economy where all families and communities can thrive. Tickets are $50 and sponsorships are available. RSVP to [email protected]

 

Wilmington Precinct 29 Awards Banquet -- November 29

 

When: Friday, November 29, 6:45 p.m.

Where: I.L.A. Longshoreman's Hall, 5th Avenue and Kidder Street

 

Mike Morgan, Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, will speak at a fundraising event to support the Williston Project, an effort to promote the history of what was once Wilmington's high school for African Americans. Tickets are available for $35 until November 8 and will be $50 thereafter. Payment should be made out to NHCDP, W29 for the Williston Project Inc. and mailed to P.O. Box 1102, Wilmington NC 28401. For information call Yvette McLaurin Robinson at 910-431-6355.