Thom Tillis and Holly Grange: Supporting Actors in the Trump Show

 

It seems the deeper President Donald Trump sinks into divisivenes and cruelty, the tighter North Carolina Republicans cling to his side. Thom Tillis, a Republican Senator from North Carolina stood cheering from the wings as Trump led a disgraceful chant at a July 17 rally in Greenville. Tillis later declined to condemn the chants. Trump preceded his visit to North Carolina with a series of racist weekend tweets inviting four Democratic freshmen Congresswomen nicknamed "the Squad" to "go back to the countries they came from", even though all four were citizens and three were born in the US. During the Wednesday rally. Trump singled out Representative Ilhan Omar, a naturalized citizen born in Somalia, for more abuse, and he stood back and preened as the crowd chanted "Send her back! Send her back!" 

 

Holly Grange, a New Hanover Representative from House District 20 also cheered from the sidelines. On the next morning, Thursday July 18th, she formally announced that she was entering the campaign for Governor of North Carolina, in a video in which she fully embraced Trump, stating "Holly Grange fully supports President Trump, welcoming him to North Carolina, and twice led the pledge of allegiance at his events." Click the image on the left to watch her announcement video. But her fondness for President Trump went unrequited. Politics NC notes that Grange was in the audience at the rally on Wednesday night when Trump gave a shout-out to her Replican primary opponent, Lt. Gov. Dan Forest. Ouch!

 

Democrats Protest "Broken Promises" Before Greenville Rally

 

(From NCDEMS) North Carolina Democrats gathered in Greenville ahead of Donald Trump's visit to hold the President and politicians Tillis and Grange accountable for their broken promises to North Carolina. Wayne Goodwin and others (right) highlighted the gap between Trump's claims and reality:

• Trump promise: "You'll have much better health care and much lower cost, and it will happen very quickly." Reality: His administration supports lawsuits seeking to abolish the Affordable Care Act.
• Trump promise: "It's the biggest tax cut of anybody so far. The middle class is getting the biggest part of if." Reality: A lopsided tax giveaway to corporations and the wealthy.
• Trump promise: Increased support for the military. Reality: President seeks to redirect $500 million from needed military facilities in North Carolina to border wall construction.

Meredith Cuomo Named Executive Director of North Carolina Democratic Party

 

Debate Watch Parties

 

There are more Democratic presidential debates coming on July 30th and 31st! Watch parties are now being planned, and so far we have been notified of the following events:

• Watch Party and Summer Potluck and Social hosted by Precinct W25,  Tuesday, July 30, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., at the Ironclad Brewery, 115 N. 2nd Street, downtown Wilmington. Jim Nesbit, one of the plaintiffs in the NC gerrymandering case has agreed to speak about it if the trial has ended. The Ironclad is also reserved on Wednesday, July 31,  from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m., however, on evening with no speakers or potluck

• FP07 watch party hosted by Tony and Marlene Barney, Wednesday, July 31, 7:00 p.m. 8508 Lakeview Drirve, Wilmington (At The Cape, near Snows Cut Bridge) To RSVP, text or call (703) 304-7623. 

If you are planning a watch party, please click here to send date, time, location and RSVP info to the editor so we can include your event in our emails.

Leslie Cohen for N.C. House Fundraising Event -- July 24

 

When: Wednesday, July 24, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Where: Home of Kate Phillips Connolly, Figure Eight Island

 

Leslie Cohen, candidate for NC House 20, will hold her first fundraising event on July 24. Her special guest will be Gene Nichol, a UNC School of Law Professor and author of "The Faces of Poverty in North Carolina: Stories from Our Invisible Citizens." Nichol will do a reading and discuss his novel. Sponsor at the $500 level and above and receive a signed copy of his novel. Sponsor at the $250 level and above and receive 4 tickets to the event.  

 

To purchase tickets click here. The address will be included in a return email. 

 

League of Women Voters on Fair Districts -- July 29  

When: Monday, July 29, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Where:  NHCDP Headquarters, 5041 New Centre Drive, Wilmington

 

The League of Women Voters will hold a presentation on "How to Get Fair Districts" in our conference room next Monday.The League has done substantial research on districting reform efforts around the country, and will present their conclusions at this event. Our presenter will be Ted Fuller, a member of the League of Women Voters Fair Elections Action Team, and Emeritus Professor of Sociology from Virginia Tech University. Please mark your calendar.

 

Televised Democratic Presidential Candidate Debates -- July 30 and 31

 

When: Tuesday, July 30, and Wednesday, July 31

Where: Broadcast on CNN

 

The debates will be split into two nights with 10 candidates appearing each night. Candidate line-ups TBA. If you are planning a watch party, please click here to send date, time, location and RSVP info to the editor so we can include your event in our emails.

 

Canvassing for Dan McCready -- August 3

When: Saturday, August 3, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Where: Meet at NHCDP Office parking lot, 5041 New Center Drive, Wilmington

 

Volunteers are canvassing in support of Dan McCready who is running in a special election September 10 for 9th District seat in the U.S. Congress. New Hanover volunteers will meet at the NHCDP Office to caravan to Elizabethtown, which is about an hour away.  For details, contact Jim Fleagle at (919) 426-3355 or [email protected]. Jim wants you to know that RSVP's are important so McCready organizers have the correct number of walk packets for canvassers. Also, you should consider lunch at Melvins, just around the corner. The Raleigh News & Observer says Melvin's makes the best and fastest burgers in the state, and has been doing so since 1938.

 

Support StepUp Wilmington at Wilmington Sharks Game -- August 3

 

When: Saturday, August 3, 7:05 p.m.

Where: Wilmington Sharks field, 2149 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington

 

StepUp Wilmington is teaming up with the Wilmington Sharks baseball team to raise funds for StepUp's jobs program. Purchase tickets here and a portion of each $7 ticket will be shared with StepUp. StepUp Wilmington provides job training and job search assistance to local residents seeking help in improving their lives through employment. The Sharks will be playing the Fayetteville Swamp Dogs, and the Aug. game will also be "Back to School Night." 500 children attending the game will receive a school supply kit. What a great excuse to buy tickets for the whole family!

 

Third Annual SOBAD Golf Tournament -- August 25 

 

When: Sunday, August 25, 9:00 a.m.

Where: Sandpiper Bay Country Club,  in Sunset Beach, NC.

 

Brunswick Democrats are hosting a Golf Tournament, and you are invited! Captain's Choice (Scramble) with three flights, men's, women's and mixed. The $75 entry fee includes lunch. Statewide candidates are expected to attend. Registration deadline is August 16. Contact Dwight Willis at [email protected] or 910-540-2614. 

 

2019 NHCDP Unity Banquet With Chief Justice Beasley -- September 21

 

When: Saturday, September 21, 6 to 9 pm

Where: Wilmington Convention Center, 515 Nutt Street, Wilmington 

Keynote speaker: the Honorable Cheri Beasley, Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court.

 

To buy an Early Bird Ticket to the Unity Banquet for $75, click here.

 

To Sponsor the Unity Banquet and meet Chief Justice Beasley at a VIP Reception, click here.

 

Nominations sought for 2019 Unity Banquet Awards: Awards will be presented recognize the precinct of the year and two individuals who made outstanding contributions to the community over the last year. Please email nominations to [email protected] by Friday, August 2.  For specific criteria for the awards, click here.

 

Silent Auction Items Needed: Organizers of the silent auction are seeking donations of auction items. Please note that these contributions are not tax deductible for the contributor. All items must be submitted by August 31^st, and should be accompanied by an in-kind donation form, downloadable here. Please direct inquiries to Mary Melia at (973) 223-4976, or at [email protected].