"Both tears and sweat are salty, but they render a different result. Tears will get you sympathy; sweat will get you change."

Virginia Flips from Red to Blue; Could North Carolina Be Next?

The News and Observer published an editorial after last Tuesday's election saying "Democrats had a very good night Tuesday in Virginia, gaining control of both houses of the General Assembly for the first time in more than two decades. Add to that a Democratic governor and two Democratic U.S. senators, and it’s not a stretch to declare that Virginia is no longer a battleground state.

"North Carolina used to share that status with our northern neighbor, along with some other similarities. We’re both mid-Atlantic states that saw once-Democratic legislatures turn Republican. We’ve both fought gerrymandering that favored the GOP, and Virginia’s new maps in this election show the promise of new legislative districts for N.C. Democrats in 2020."

Recent statewide elections also have shown positive signs for Democratic advances in North Carolina. Democrat Roy Cooper ousted incumbent Republican Pat McCrory in 2016 to become governor of the state, and Democrats won enough seats in the North Carolina House of Representatives to break a Republican supermajority so Republicans no longer can override Cooper vetoes easily.

Gov. Cooper Vetoes "Paltry" Raises for North Carolina Teachers

Hoggard High School chemistry teacher Amanda White was among the North Carolina educators agreeing with Governor Roy Cooper that a teacher pay raise offered by the Republican majority in the statehouse was woefully inadequate, according to the Wilmington Star News. Cooper last week vetoed a proposal that would have given teachers a 3.9 percent raise over two years and non-instructional support staff a 2 percent raise over the same period.

“I know exactly what I am going to make in 10 years and it’s not something for anybody to be living on single or married,” White said during a protest attended by Democratic State Senator Harper Peterson. “You want an increase. You want to be in a position that you can afford a house...but it is not what the current scale provides us. We are looking for something that would help teachers in 10 years stay in the career because we have a high number of teachers who are leaving between year five and 15.” (quote from the Star News)

In addition to vetoing the teacher raises, which he called "paltry", Cooper vetoed two bills cutting corporate taxes in North Carolina, vetoed a bill that would remove some people from voting rolls, and signed into law a bill reinstating "last Saturday" early voting. Cooper has proposed a 9 percent raise for teachers, and Republicans have refused to negotiate with him on a compromise proposal. Republicans have also blocked Cooper's plan to expand Medicaid in the state.

The Fight for Fair Districts

(From NCDEMS) New day, same Republican map drawers. Despite seeing the writing on the wall around their unconstitutional partisan gerrymanders, Republicans are continuing to undemocratically divide up our state.

“This is the epitome of bad faith,” said attorney Allison Riggs, who argued a North Carolina gerrymandering case before the U.S. Supreme Court in March. “These guys aren’t even trying.” She said the efforts to make new maps are “offensive.” (Allison will be in New Hanover this week. See the You Can Vote event below.)

The courts need to step in and take the power to draw district lines out of the hands of politicians who stand to benefit from the status quo.

Spears and Haynes Win; Thursday's Absentee Vote Count Could Determine Third Council Seat

A razor-thin margin in the election day vote counts separates the third and fourth candidates for Wilmington City council, so an absentee vote count on Thursday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. could be pivotal in deciding who gets the last available seat. Right now Republican councilman Neil Anderson currently holds a slim lead of six votes (5,441 to 5,435) over fellow Democratic Councilman Paul Lawler. Lawler told the Star News he would wait for a final vote count on November 14th before deciding if he would contest the results.

Voters' top two Wilmington City Council choices in the November 5 election were incumbent Margaret Haynes and newcomer Kevin Spears. Kevin's election to City Council reportedly marks the first time since 1898 that two African Americans (Kevin and Dr. Clifford Barnett) have served on Council at the same time. Congratulations Kevin!

EVENTS

You Can Vote Fundraiser With Allison Riggs and Anita Earls -- 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.

New Hanover County Democratic Party Monthly Meeting -- November 18

When: Monday, November 18, 6:00 p.m.

Where: NHCDP HQ, 5041 New Center Drive, Wilmington

The meeting will include an election of an SEC Member and a resolution supporting WAVE Transit.

Leslie Cohen Reveal -- November 19

When: Tuesday, November 19, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: The home of Jeannie Lennon, 3910 Sweetbriar Road, Wilmington

The moment we've all been waiting for is here! Join the Leslie Cohen campaign for a Big Reveal Celebration and an evening full of surprises... you won't want to miss this! Enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres and come prepared to celebrate with us! Court-mandated redistricting has placed NC House candidate into the same district as incumbent Representative Marcia Morgan, and Cohen still plans to run for office but not against Marcia. For more information and to register for the event click here.

NHCDP Debate Watch Party -- November 20

When: Tuesday, November 20, 8:30 to 11:00 p.m.

Where: JohnnyLukes Restaurant, 5500 Market Street, Wilmington

Watch the 5th Presidential debate with friends! We will in an enclosed but unheated space, so dress appropriately. We plan to arrive about 8:30 for a debate starting at 9.

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 $50. Checks should be sent to NHCDP, W29 for the Williston Project Inc. and mailed to P.O. Box 1102, Wilmington NC 28401. To pay by credit card, click here.

For information call Yvette McLaurin Robinson at 910-431-6355.

Filing Period for November 2020 Election -- December 2 to December 20, 2019

When: From December 2 to December 20, 2020

Where: County Board of Elections for state and local offices, North Carolina Board of Elections for federal offices

Persons wishing to run for office in the 2020 general election must file during the stated filing period. Instructions for filing may be found at https://elections.nhcgov.com/candidates/filing-office/ A list of current incumbents may be found at https://elections.nhcgov.com/candidates/elected-officials/

Holiday Party, Meet the Candidates Event -- December 21

When: Saturday, December 21, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Where: Foxes Boxes, 622 N. 4th Street, Wilmington

The day after the filing deadline for 2020 candidates, and the scheduled impeachment vote, Democrats will gather to celebrate and meet candidates. Hors d'oeurves by Foxes and Boxes and a cash bar.

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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