Chatham stands out as a blue county that turns out our voters.  In 2020 we lead the state again!

Your financial support is a key part of our success. When you donate to CCDP, we are able to keep doing the work to elect Democrats up and down the ballot.

Our 2021 goal is $45,000 so that we can overcome the challenges ahead.

While Governor Cooper won and Democrats in Chatham won, we do not have a majority in the State Legislature.

Voter ID is now the law. We must inform and assist voters so that all have a valid ID. There is a movement to restrict voting by mail and early voting that we must address.

Maintaining turnout in the midterm 2022 elections will require resources and volunteer support. CCDP will continue to focus on voter education and turnout.  We will put the Blue Ballot and information about candidates and voting in the hands of our Chatham voters.

If you prefer to mail us your donation, please use this form and send it to CCDP, PO Box 1118, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

Thank you.

Every year CCDP contributes to the NCDP Sustaining Fund to cover services provided to the county by the state party.

From NCDP:

Your efforts to help us meet the 2021 Sustaining Fund goals are critical to our efforts. Thank you to those counties that consistently meet their goal and to those who will make an extra effort in 2021. The Sustaining Fund truly lives up to its name because it is the money that keeps our party functioning.

A brief list of some of the services provided to county parties by these funds are:

• Provide VoteBuilder to County Parties 
• Maintenance and Updating of Party’s Website
• Organize and Conduct Training For Party Officers and Activists
• Develop Literature On Democratic Issues and Message 

This program gives the party the ability build a grassroots organization, disseminate
information, recruit and train candidates, employ staff and volunteers, maintain a voter file, support and advise Democratic elected officials and party officers at all
levels.  

The Chatham County Democratic Party is accepting nominations for county officers to be presented for election at the County Convention on April 17, 2021. If you would like to run or would like to nominate someone, please email your submission to [email protected] by March 1, 2021.

Before submitting a person for consideration please make sure they agree to have their name submitted and are willing to serve if elected. Please confirm that they are a registered Democrat residing in Chatham County. Submissions must include the individual’s full name, address, preferred phone number and email address and which office they wish to run for. Nominations are open for the following offices:

• County Chair
• First Vice Chair
• Second Vice Chair
• Third Vice Chair
• Secretary
• Treasurer

Here are job descriptions for CCDP officers, and the following paragraph from the NCDP Plan of Organization applies:

NCDP Plan of Organization 2.03 – Elected Officers. “The county executive committee shall have as officers a chair, three (3) vice chairs, a secretary, and a treasurer. The first vice chair must be of a different gender identity from the chair. Among the chair and three (3) vice chair offices, one (1) of these must be filled by a person of a racial or ethnic minority which constitutes at least twenty percent (20%) of the registered Democrats in that county and one of these offices must be filled by a person thirty-six (36) years of age or younger. Officers of a county executive committee shall be active Democrats residing within the county. No two (2) county officers may be from the same immediate family residing in the same household. Gender, racial or ethnic, and age requirements need not be followed if filling a vacancy for an unexpired term but shall be adhered to when the office is filled for a full term.”

Congressional District Executive Committee – Chatham County is divided into two congressional districts, the Fourth and the Thirteenth. According to the NCDP Plan of Organization 3.07, “the county is entitled to two (2) representatives on the congressional district executive committee of each district in which any portion of the county is located. The county chair and first vice chair shall represent the county on the district executive committee in the district in which they reside. The same county convention at which the county officers are elected shall elect the balance of their entire representation on each such district executive committee. However, such representation on the district executive committee must be active Democrats from such county residing in the confessional district to which they shall be elected, ensuring equal division between men and women.” The 2021 Nominations Committee seeks two additional candidates (in addition to the CCDP Chair and CCDP Vice Chair) to complete the slate for the Fourth and Thirteenth Congressional District Executive Committees.

State Executive Committee – Chatham County is entitled to five SEC delegates, two men and two women, plus the County Chair.  

The Nominations Committee will interview all candidates and publish a slate of nominees on the CCDP website prior to the April 15, 2021, Executive Committee meeting and the April 17, 2021, County Convention.

Please send all questions or submissions to [email protected]. 

Precinct Committee

• Consists of at least 5 active Democrats who reside in the precinct and are elected at the annual precinct meeting held in odd numbered years
• Should reflect the make-up of the active Democrats of the precinct as to gender, age, race, ethnic background and, where practical, geography
• Democratic county and city elected officials and Democratic members of the North Carolina General Assembly residing in the precinct shall be ex- officio, non-voting members of the precinct committee

Precinct Officers

• Includes Precinct Chair, Vice Chair & Secretary/Treasurer
• Precinct Vice Chair must be opposite gender of the Precinct Chair
• No officers of the precinct committee shall be from the same immediate family residing in the same household

Term of Office

• ·The 2 year term expires on the date of the next precinct meeting held in an odd-numbered year
• Newly elected officers shall take office immediately upon their election.
• Vacancies for Precinct Officers and Committee Members shall be filled within 30 days
• Removals are handled in accordance with Section 10.

Duties of Precinct Officers

Chair The duties of the precinct chair shall include:

• Attend meetings of the county executive committee 
• Preside at precinct meetings
• Establish reasonable political goals for the precinct
• Organize and execute a voter organizing plan
• Recommend names of persons to serve as precinct elections officials
• Carry out other duties as may be assigned by the precinct or county executive committees
• Transmit all records pertaining to the office to successor within ten (10) days of vacating office

Vice Chair The duties of the precinct vice chair shall include:

• Preside at precinct meeting in the absence of the chair
• Serve as the publicity chair for the precinct utilizing local newspapers, door-to-door leaflets, etc. to announce political activities and/or accomplishments to voters in the precinct
• Carry out other duties as may be assigned by the county executive committee
• Transmit all records pertaining to the office to successor within ten (10) days of vacating office.

Secretary/Treasurer  The duties of the precinct secretary/treasurer shall include:

• Keep all records of the precinct committee
• Issue all meeting notices within the timeframe outlined in this Plan of Organization
• When there is a precinct treasury, maintain it at a chartered financial institution (Seek advice from county party treasurer prior to establishing an account).
• Provide assistance to the county party treasurer in fundraising efforts
• Prepare and file reports as may be required by law and/or by the county executive committee
• Preside at precinct meetings in the absence of the chair and vice chair
• Transmit all records pertaining to the office to successor within ten (10) days of vacating Office

NCDP Plan of Organization

February 29,2020

Chatham County Democrats have a lot to be proud of. Our county consistently leads North Carolina in turnout. Democrats win in Chatham. We are blessed with amazing volunteers. Once again we were first among the 100 counties in voter turnout.  In the midst of a pandemic CCDP volunteers and precinct leaders overcame the obstacles presented by COVID-19 and ensured that we got our voters out.

We still have work to do in 2022 assisting with taking back the state legislature and winning the open US Senate seat as well as winning County Commission seats. 

We can do all this – if we make sure that every one of our voters gets to the polls and votes. Strong precincts are integral to achieving this goal for the 2022 election.  You can be part of winning in 2020.  Attend your precinct meeting and learn about opportunities to work for victory.

All precinct meetings will be held virtually on Zoom.  Democrats from the precinct may attend and vote on matters presented at their precinct meetings.  Unaffiliated voters and Democrats from other precincts are invited to attend the meeting via You Tube/Facebook live.

Registration for each meeting is a two-step process. First pre-register on this form.  A link to the meeting will be emailed to you.  Each person attending must sign-in individually. If two people in a household are attending and plan to vote, each one must register and log in to the meeting individually.

Registration for each precinct meeting closes at 5 pm the day before the meeting. You may pre-register here.

All registered Democrats are urged to attend their precinct meetings.  this year precinct members will:

• Elect precinct officers (Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary/Treasurer).
• Elect members to the Precinct committee.
• Elect delegates to the County Convention on April 17^th and to the 4^th or 13^th Congressional District Convention.
• Consider and vote on Resolutions submitted by members of the precinct.  Resolutions passed by the precinct will be voted on by delegates at the County Convention.
• Learn about the work we are doing for this election cycle and opportunities to help.
• Learn about coming activities. 

  The road to winning elections up and down the ballot starts with your precinct.

You will also be able to submit resolutions for the Democratic party to vote on -- these can become part of the national party platform. Information on writing and submitting a resolution to your precinct is here.  Resolutions are due 10 days before each precinct meeting date. If you miss the deadline your resolution may be considered at the County Convention.

The resolutions submitted to specific precincts are below the precinct meeting schedule.

Need to find out which precinct you live in?  Look it up on the NC Board of Elections website.

If you are interested in running for precinct officer or committee member please let the current Chair know.  Precinct officer duties are outlined here.

Precinct Meeting Schedule by Date and contacts.

Resolutions submitted to Precincts

Hadley

• Addressing Structural Racism in the NCDP Platform

Pittsboro

• Resolution of Appreciation 
• Resolution Opposing Gerrymandering
• Resolution to Amend the NCDP Party Platform

North Williams

• Resolution to Amend the NCDP Party Platform

West Williams

• Resolution Opposing Gerrymandering

CCDP is holding its' first Auction and we are doing it online!  Generous supporters have provided a range of items for your consideration and bidding enjoyment.  The auction closes Monday, November 2 at noon.  The items are shown below.  

To find out bidding status or get more information you use this link to go to our auction site. Click on the title of any item to display the description and details. 

Registration is required to place a bid.

Framed print, John Cole Cartoon	Framed print, John Cole Cartoon	Framed print, John Cole Cartoon	Framed print, John Cole Cartoon
One week at Hatteras Island Beach House		One week at Cape Hatteras ocean front house
One week at a Phillips Club Condo in New York City		One week at a Swan's Island Me. cottage
Chatham Cidery Tour and Tasting for 8		Other items include:  wine, books, gift certificates and Biden Flags

by Mickayla McCann

Mike Dasher is seeking re-election to the Chatham County Board of Commissioners, facing off against his Republican opponent, Jimmy Pharr.

Dasher has lived in Chatham for the past 16 years. Originally from Ohio, Dasher moved to North Carolina at the age of 12. He attended Barton College, graduating with degrees in political science and finance. After college, Dasher joined AmeriCorps and managed construction for affordable housing through Habitat for Humanity. Dasher went on to work for several affordable housing development organizations and now owns and operates Orange Communities LLC, a property development company dedicated to building sustainable spaces and homes. He currently lives in Pittsboro with his wife and two children.

Dasher was first elected to the Chatham Board of Commissioners in 2016 and served as chair of the board in 2019. He represents District 2, the southeastern and most populous district of Chatham. During his tenure, Dasher supported removing the Confederate monument on display in front of the Chatham County Historic Courthouse. He also helped to pass a one-quarter cent sales tax increase, which generates necessary revenue for the county’s affordable housing, parks, and schools.

Dasher stated that he is running for re-election in order to continue making progress for Chatham. If re-elected, he plans to maintain his original agenda—prioritizing schools and affordable housing. Dasher understands that Chatham will face many challenges as it grows, and he aims to expand on the Chatham County Comprehensive Plan by developing a Unified Development Ordinance, which will designate rules regarding how to expand the county sustainably and ethically while preserving its rural character. Dasher also intends to fight for expanded broadband internet access across Chatham.

To stay up to date on Dasher’s campaign, follow him on Facebook.

Profile: Rep. Robert Reives II

--Mickayla McCann

North Carolina House Representative Robert Reives II is running for re-election this November to continue his pledge to give back to his state and its citizens.

Born and raised in Sanford, NC, Reives has dedicated his life to bettering his community. After graduating from the University of North Carolina School of Law, Reives returned home to Lee County to serve as an assistant district attorney. There he was exposed to the realities of the criminal justice system and quickly realized the importance of crafting and applying fair legislation to protect marginalized populations. He became a partner at Wilson, Reives, and Silverman, where he has worked for over two decades. Throughout his law career, Reives has consistently prioritized community involvement, whether by sponsoring education scholarships, hosting community events, or actively participating in his church.

Following the resignation of Deb McManus in 2013, Reives was encouraged by the Chatham County Democratic Party to take her seat as the representative of House District 54, which encompasses Chatham County and portions of Lee and Durham Counties. In 2014, following an outpouring of community support, Reives successfully won his seat in the NC House and has since served three terms.

Over the course of his political career, Reives has emphasized the importance of improving public education, advocating for the environment, and protecting the rights of his constituents. Reives has demonstrated his values through action – both in enacting progressive policies and blocking destructive legislation.

“As for successes, we’ve been able to halt a lot of the bad policies that we’ve seen over the last eight years,” Reives said in a virtual town hall meeting hosted by the Chatham County Democratic Party. “We’ve been able to prevent an expansion with charter schools at the expense of our public education system. We’ve also beat back what could have been some pretty harmful environmental bills that otherwise would have passed. We’ve been able to play really good defense.”

Reives has proposed numerous influential policies, notably legislation to ensure access to clean water, minimize environmental damage from fracking, and incentivize clean energy. With regard to education, he has worked to increase teacher pay, reduce class size, and devote more resources to early education. Reives has also sponsored legislation establishing a domestic worker’s bill of rights, assuring fair redistricting, protecting voting access, and adopting the NC Equal Rights Amendment.

Since entering office, Reives has served in a multitude of leadership positions. In his first term, he was picked to be the Freshman Caucus Co-Chair and the Sergeant at Arms of the NC Legislative Black Caucus. He currently serves as the Deputy Democratic Leader of the House, Vice Chair of the Education-Community Colleges Committee, and the Vice-Chair of the Judiciary III Committee.

In seeking a fourth term, Reives aims to continue his quest to help North Carolina flourish. He states that his top priorities upon re-election will be passing independent redistricting, expanding Medicaid, and continuing to invest in education, despite decreases in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’ve looked at forecasts that put us at more than 4 billion dollars down, as far as expected revenue,” Reives said. “We have to figure out how to get a good, robust investment in education. Our public education system is the only thing that’s going to get us out of this, and we’ve got to invest in it, and we’ve got to figure out ways to make it better.”

With much uncertainty surrounding the logistics of the upcoming election, Reives urges his constituents to request an absentee ballot as soon as possible and to vote, in spite of the many forces attempting to undermine that right. As an experienced representative, a trusted leader, and a man who has a demonstrated record of putting the needs of the state first, Reives believes that, with your help, he can lead North Carolina to greatness.

“The most important attribute in an elected official is that they desire to work for the things the district cares about, and our district has said time and time again that we, and this state, need good healthcare, great public education, to be stewards of the environment, and to invest in responsible economic development,” Reives said. “I will continue to fight for those things every day.”

To stay updated on Reives’ campaign, check out his website.  To make a contribution to his campaign visit https://www.reivesforhouse.com/donate/

Profile: Sen. Valerie Foushee

Mickayla McCann

North Carolina Senator Valerie Foushee is running for re-election this November to continue fighting for equality and justice for all.

Foushee began her tenure in the General Assembly after observing statewide cuts to education funding, a lack of transparency in government, and an uptick in women’s rights violations. Compelled to take action, she joined the NC House in 2012, where she began to generate change by passing local legislation. A year later, following the retirement of Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, Foushee began her career in the NC Senate representing District 23, which includes Orange and Chatham Counties.

Since being elected to office, Foushee has focused her platform on expanding Medicaid, increasing governmental accountability, promoting economic recovery and development, and restoring funding to all levels of education. She believes that North Carolina must invest in education, as quality education increases opportunity for all by expanding access to jobs and attracting new businesses. She also thinks that by increasing transparency government becomes accessible to its citizens, so that together, elected officials and their constituents make more informed decisions.

Foushee has sponsored legislation to increase funding for public education, increase teacher pay, and enable income-eligible children to participate in the NC Pre-K program. She has also sponsored bills to repeal HB2 in its entirety, amend NC labor laws to end wage theft, end the gender pay gap in NC, increase the scope and punishment of hate crimes, and provide education for prisoners in order to reduce recidivism. Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, Foushee has supported legislation to mandate hazard pay for state employees fighting COVID-19 on the frontlines; allocate funds to support farmers, restaurants, hotels, and small businesses; and provide economic relief for North Carolinians. In 2019 Foushee was named Legislator of the Year by the NC Teacher Association of Teacher Assistants and Senator of the Year by the NC League of Conservation Voters.

A lifelong Orange County resident, Foushee attended Chapel Hill High School before graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in political science and African and Afro-American studies. She then devoted 21 years to serving in the Chapel Hill Police Department, where she supervised two units. After retiring, she turned her focus toward politics and was elected to the Board of Education for Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools for three terms, serving as Chair from 2001 to 2003. She then became the first African-American female elected to the Orange County Board of Commissioners in 2004, where she served two terms and became Chair from 2008 to 2010.

Foushee has held many leadership positions within her community, ranging from serving as a member of the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of the Eastern Piedmont, to the Board of Trustees for Durham Technical Community College. She has a demonstrated passion for minority representation in government, as the former president of the NC Association of Black County Officials, a member of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro branch of the NAACP, and the current chair of the NC Black Alliance. She is also an active member of First Baptist Church of Chapel Hill.

Foushee believes that there is much more that she can accomplish for District 23. In seeking re-election, she aims to continue ensuring equality, strengthening the economy, protecting the environment, and investing in quality education. She recognizes that North Carolina, along with the rest of the country, is experiencing new difficulties on all fronts—from unprecedented economic challenges as COVID-19 continues to ravage the state, to continual police brutality and demands for government reform. In the face of adversity, Foushee pledges to fight to protect and provide for her constituents and work to build a brighter future for all.

To stay updated on Foushee’s campaign, check out her website.  Make a contribution here.

by Mickayla McCann

In one of the most competitive U.S. Senate races of the year, Cal Cunningham is seeking to unseat incumbent Thom Tillis and bring integrity back to Capitol Hill.

“While we may not always agree on the issues, I will always listen and work to bring North Carolina stories to Washington and put North Carolina first in the debates before our country -- from expanding health care and bringing down prescription drug costs, to raising wages and putting folks back to work following this crisis,” Cunningham said. “My opponent, Thom Tillis has spent the past six years looking out for special interests in Washington instead of the people he represents.”

A North Carolinian through-and-through, Cunningham was born in Winston-Salem and raised in Lexington. He grew up volunteering on service projects in the Appalachian Mountains with his church, working at the family brickyard, and gathering inspiration from his father, a compassionate small-town attorney. Cunningham went on to earn his undergraduate and law degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill, as well a Master’s in Public Policy and Public Administration from the London School of Economics.

At age 27, Cunningham became one of the youngest state senators in NC, representing Davidson, Rowan, and Iredell Counties. While in office, Cunningham fought for higher teacher pay, smaller class sizes, and the creation of what is now known as NC Pre-K. Reflecting on his term as state senator, Cunningham stated that some of his biggest achievements were helping to pass the landmark Clean Smokestack Act of 2002, as well as legislation establishing public financing and voter guides for judicial elections.

“During my time in the North Carolina legislature, I learned that elective office can be a meaningful way to serve our communities, though I’m most deeply guided by the values I’ve learned from the North Carolinians I grew up with and served with,” Cunningham said.

After 9/11 Cunningham volunteered to join the U.S. Army Reserve. He served three active-duty tours and now holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Cunningham stated that he aims to use the lessons he learned in the military to lead the state through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In the Army Reserve, I learned that in a crisis, our leaders must identify critical objectives, plan a response, marshal the resources and communicate that plan clearly,” Cunningham said. “The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic demands that same leadership and good judgment, not only as communities and frontline workers deal with the day-to-day realities of this pandemic, but also as communities everywhere look for guidance to reopen.”

Aside from his career in the military, Cunningham has worked at several law firms, including Wallace & Graham, Kilpatrick Stockton, and the Law Offices of J. Calvin Cunningham. He also served as the vice president and general counsel of WasteZero, a waste reduction company in Raleigh, from 2013 to March 2020.

Despite his busy professional life, Cunningham felt compelled to run for office after feeling disappointed by the way North Carolina was represented in the U.S. Senate.

“When I took an oath to support and defend our country against all enemies, foreign and domestic, I never imagined the biggest threat to our country would be corruption and chaos in Washington,” Cunningham said. “I’m running to fulfill that oath, and because I’ve got to be able to look my kids in the eye and say I did everything I could to leave our country better off for their generation.”

Cunningham has ambitious goals for North Carolina. As a U.S. Senator, he plans to offer low-cost, accessible healthcare by extending coverage under the Affordable Care Act and expanding Medicaid. He also aims to attack income and wealth inequality by raising the minimum wage, decreasing the cost of healthcare and education, and investing in communities of color and minority-owned businesses. Further, Cunningham intends to combat climate change by investing in clean energy, reducing carbon pollution, and protecting North Carolina’s natural resources.

“I’ve always run toward the fight, and now I am asking North Carolinians to put me into this fight again,” Cunningham said.

To learn more about Cunningham’s campaign and priorities, and make a donation, check out his website.

by Mickayla McCann

Scott Huffman is running for election to the U.S. House of Representatives to bring honest politics back to North Carolina’s 13^th Congressional District.

“I’m not running to be a politician -- I’m running to be the public servant that we desperately need in Washington representing us,” Huffman said. “We currently don’t have that. I want to represent the interests of the poor and working-class in our district.”

Huffman grew up in Spencer, NC, where he experienced the realities of growing up under financial strain. As a single parent raising three children, Huffman’s mother worked as a waitress to keep her family afloat. Continuing his mother’s legacy of hard work and dedication, Huffman joined the U.S. Navy out of high school and served two tours of duty. After leaving the Navy, Huffman became fascinated with computers and taught himself everything there was to know about information technology. In 1995 he opened his own business, Charlotte Internet, with the intent to supply internet to the masses. Since then, his company has evolved to focus on enterprise management and cyber security.

Though Huffman has campaign experience, having volunteered for such big-name candidates as President Obama, Senator Bernie Sanders, and former Senator Kay Hagan, he did not consider running for office until after the 2016 election. His daughter, having watched Hillary Clinton narrowly lose to President Donald Trump, was scared about the future of women.

“When my daughter was 10 years old, she expressed concern about what was going to happen to the girls in her school,” Huffman said. “She wanted to know if a boy were to grab them in school, would they get away with it? I said, ‘Honey, I’ll make sure it’ll be okay. We’re going to get through this.’ Her concern for her friends really moved me.”

Launching into action, Huffman became an officer in his local democratic party. He also started an Indivisible group in Charlotte, protesting attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, as well as Tom Tillis’ refusal to hold town halls. Disturbed by the lack of genuine representation for his district in Congress, Huffman decided to run for office himself.

“It’s not what you can do for your government; it’s what your government can do for you,” Huffman said. “And the way we do that is to elect leaders who maintain a relationship with voters.”

If elected, Huffman plans to focus on investing in public education, creating more jobs, expanding Medicaid, and protecting civil rights. As a product of the public school system himself, Huffman knows that education is vital for success. He believes that all children deserve a quality education, no matter where they live. Along with supporting the next generation of workers, Huffman plans to promote economic growth by attracting high-paying jobs to District 13. He also seeks to decrease financial stress brought on by the crushing costs of healthcare.

Huffman believes that healthcare is a human right and that medical bills should not bankrupt families. In regards to civil rights, he supports reforming the criminal justice system, restoring the Voting Rights Act, and supporting the Equality Act, the Disability Integration Act, and the Equal Rights Amendment.

“I’m trying to support hope and connectivity, rather than fear-mongering,” Huffman said. “We are all a village. We’ve got to get back to being that leader that the rest of the world looks to.”

Huffman also states that he plans to develop an app that will allow his constituents to keep in touch with him. This free app would enable citizens from all parties to see Huffman’s schedule and offer them the chance to submit questions and feedback on issues.

“I am one of you,” Huffman said. “I’m a working-class candidate, I’m a small business owner, I’m a navy veteran, and I want the chance to serve my country again.”

by Mickayla McCann

Karen Howard is running for re-election to the Chatham County Board of Commissioners to continue her fight for a better Chatham for all.

“I am hardworking, interested in the issues that matter to my constituents, and concerned about the future of Chatham County,” Howard said. “This is my home – this is where I raised my children. I can be counted on to hear what people are saying, to listen to views that are different than mine, and to do what is in the best interest of all of us.”

Though born in New York, Howard spent much of her childhood in the Bahamas, where her father served as a member of the Bahamian Parliament. Howard attended Georgetown University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English before going on to law school at the University of Buckingham in England. Howard later practiced corporate litigation in New Jersey for over a decade before settling with her family in Northeast Chatham in 2006.

As a mother of six, Howard first stepped into the political arena after feeling displeased with the way her children’s schools were being funded. She became a member of the Chatham County Board of Education in 2012 and later chaired the board from 2013 to 2014.

“I felt like we were doing good things at the school board level, and I had kids in Chatham County schools, so it felt relevant and important to me,” Howard said. “But I also knew there were things that could be done at the county commission level that could really make a difference in Chatham County schools. I was particularly interested in certain populations that weren’t always well represented in the academic or educational sphere when it came to the kinds of issues that were coming before the board of commissioners. I thought I could have a more positive impact being on the board of commissioners.”

Howard was elected to the Chatham Board of Commissioners in 2014, and currently serves as the chair. She states that her favorite achievement from her tenure in office was completing the Chatham County Comprehensive Plan. This land-use plan is a living document that will help guide the next 25 years of development within the county, taking into account environmental preservation, equity, community protection, and responsible growth.

“It’s become the backbone for the way the county goes about doing its work,” Howard said. “It’s a non-partisan guiding tool to help departments and organizations, and even nonprofits, participate collaboratively to have their goals and their missions aligned in a way that benefits the county as a whole.”

If re-elected, Howard plans to continue to prioritize county growth that preserves the true character of Chatham. She also seeks to address the economic disparities between the eastern and western portions of Chatham, as well as the racial inequality that has produced disparate outcomes in health, education, and justice for people of color in the county.

“I think my voters need to know about my values,” Howard said. “I treat being a commissioner like a fulltime job. I will always put the interests of people above money. I will always put the education of our kids as a priority. I hold the same level of concern about the environment, economic disparity, and race and prejudice as I did when I first ran. I enjoy being a commissioner; I enjoy the work, the challenge, participating in discussion, and helping guide the county in what I think have been good decisions that benefit all of us.”

To learn more about Karen Howard’s campaign, please visit https://www.facebook.com/ChathamTogether2020.

CCDP Profiles of County Candidates.

Senator Valerie Foushee	Representative Robert Reives, II	Congressman David Price
Cal Cunningham	Scott Huffman	Franklin Gomez Flores
Commissioner Karen Howard	Commissioner Mike Dasher

by Mickayla McCann

David Price is running for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives to continue serving North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District. 

Price has lived in North Carolina for 47 years, 30 of which he has spent in Congress. Price grew up in eastern Tennessee and attended Mars Hill College, then transferred to UNC-Chapel Hill as a Morehead Scholar. While working toward earning degrees in history and mathematics, Price discovered a passion for justice by becoming involved in the South’s budding civil rights movement. Motivated to advocate for change, Price worked with the student legislature to integrate Chapel Hill’s businesses.

Furthering his education and pursuing his interest in politics, Price attended Yale University, obtaining a Bachelor of Divinity degree and a Ph. D. in political science. While earning his doctorate, he worked as a legislative aide to former senator Edward Lewis Bartlett of Alaska. Upon graduating, Price took a position teaching political science and public policy at Duke University. He also worked at the North Carolina Democratic Party.

After studying politics, teaching it, and learning its applications on state and federal levels, Price successfully ran for election and entered Congress in 1987. Seven years later, he lost his bid for reelection by a margin of less than one percent, only to win his seat back in the 1996 election. From 1997 onward, Price has proudly served North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District, which currently encompasses all of Orange, Durham, Granville, and Franklin counties, northern Wake County, and parts of Vance and Chatham counties. 

Over the course of his tenure, Price has maintained a progressive platform. He states that one of his favorite accomplishments has been passing the Price Education Affordability Act, which gives students and their parents a tax break on school loans. He also looks proudly upon his service as the Chairman of the Transportation and Housing Appropriations Subcommittee, where he has fought to allocate more resources toward the Triangle’s infrastructure and affordable housing. In addition, Price has consistently pushed legislation to protect the environment, end predatory lending, and make campaigns and elections more ethical. In regards to politics abroad, Price initiated the House Democracy Partnership, a bipartisan commission that works directly with leaders of emerging democracies to develop effective legislative institutions worldwide.

Price has pledged to keep fighting for the issues that matter to North Carolinians. If re-elected, he will work to continue improving North Carolina’s public education and infrastructure. He also aims to focus his next term on expanding affordable housing, increasing access to healthcare, promoting clean energy, and combating gun violence. 

To learn more about Price’s platform and donate to his campaign, please visit his website.

Chatham stands out as a blue county that turns out our voters.  In 2020 we lead the state again!

Your financial support is a key part of our success. When you donate to CCDP, we are able to keep doing the work to elect Democrats up and down the ballot.

Our 2021 goal is $45,000 so that we can overcome the challenges ahead.

While Governor Cooper won and Democrats in Chatham won, we do not have a majority in the State Legislature.

Voter ID is now the law. We must inform and assist voters so that all have a valid ID. There is a movement to restrict voting by mail and early voting that we must address.

Maintaining turnout in the midterm 2022 elections will require resources and volunteer support. CCDP will continue to focus on voter education and turnout.  We will put the Blue Ballot and information about candidates and voting in the hands of our Chatham voters.

If you prefer to mail us your donation, please use this form and send it to CCDP, PO Box 1118, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

Thank you.

Win the Courts, win the war.

Judicial races may be at the end of the ballot, but they are as important as the races at the top. Recent court rulings are illustrative: the decision overturning the Judicial Retention Election Law, the Fourth Circuit decision overturning the voter ID law, and the decisions on gerrymandering enacted by our current state legislature. Or the refusal by Congress to consider President Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court.

Justices like to say that party labels don’t matter when they are deciding cases, and in many instances that’s true. Most opinions handed down by the court are unanimous. But in matters steeped in partisan or philosophical ideology, justices align with their like-minded colleagues, and opinions issued in recent years reflect that divide. In decisions that split along party lines, conservative justices have upheld redistricting maps, turned North Carolina’s consumer protection law on its head, weakened Fourth Amendment search and seizure protections, and sustained the private-school voucher program.

If party labels don't matter why did things change in 2013?

On August 12, 2013, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) signed a bill that created a voter ID requirement, cut early voting, eliminated the state's innovative and popular public financing program for judicial candidates, and raised the judicial campaign contribution limit. The public financing program was popular with voters, and the vast majority of candidates participated.

As a result, that year for the first time in a decade North Carolina Supreme Court candidates were able to raise campaign cash—much of it from attorneys and corporations with a financial interest in the court's rulings. The May 5, 2013 primary election saw an unprecedented $1.3 million in spending for the only contested seat.

Nearly half of this money came from the Republican State Leadership Committee, or RSLC, a group in Washington, D.C., that helps elect Republican legislators across the United States. One of the biggest donors to the RSLC in North Carolina is Duke Energy, the country’s largest electric utility. Duke Energy’s power plants produced $24 billion in revenue in 2013. One wonders why they put so much money into Judicial races.

This election when you vote by mail, early or on November 3rd, remember to vote the complete ballot and send fair and impartial judges back to serve the people of North Carolina.

We ignore the judicial races at our peril. Vote for these experienced, fair judicial candidates.

	NC Supreme Court Seat 1, Chief Justice Cheri Beasley https://www.chiefjusticebeasley.com/		NC Supreme Court Associate Justice Seat 2, Lucy Inman https://www.lucyinmanforjustice.com/
	NC Supreme Court Associate Justice Seat 4, Mark Davis https://justicemarkdavis.com/		NC Court of Appeals Justice Seat 4, Tricia Shields https://www.shieldsforjudge.com/
	NC Court of Appeals Justice Seat 5, Lora Christine Cubbage https://www.cubbageforjudge.com/		NC Court of Appeals Justice Seat 6, Gray Styers https://styersforjudge.com/
	NC Court of Appeals Justice Seat 7, Reuben Young https://www.keepjudgeyoung.com/		NC Court of Appeals Justice Seat 13, Christopher Brook https://www.keepjudgechrisbrook.com/
	NC District Court Judge District 15B Seat 2, Samantha Cabe https://www.facebook.com/samantha4judge/		NC District Court Judge District 15B Seat 4, Sherri Murrell https://www.facebook.com/sherriforjudge/
	NC District Court Judge District 15B Seat 3, Hathaway Pendergrass https://hathawaypendergrass.com/		NC District Court Judge District 15B Seat 5, Beverly Scarlett

Franklin Gomez Flores, un residente de Siler City, es candidato a la Junta de Comisionados del Condado de Chatham representando al Distrito 5.

El Partido Demócrata de Chatham logró con éxito recoger las firmas necesarias para que Franklin apareciera en la boleta electoral en noviembre.

Franklin Gómez Flores es un demócrata, pero no pudo postularse en las campañas primarias debido a una ley aprobada el año pasado.

https://www.franklinforcommissioner.com/index.html

Franklin Gómez Flores nació en Guatemala de donde emigró con su familia por causa de la violencia, la pobreza y la falta de oportunidades. Llegó a Siler City en 1999 cuando tenía cinco años. Asistió a las escuelas del condado de Chatham y acredita al programa de “Inglés como segundo idioma” (ESL por sus siglas en inglés) con ayudarlo a aprender inglés y progresar académicamente. Franklin se destacó en fútbol y atletismo en Jordan Matthews High School y se graduó con honores entre los 10 mejores estudiantes de su clase. Con el apoyo de Scholar Latino Initiative, una organización para la preparación universitaria, ingresó a UNC-Chapel Hill y se graduó en 2016 con una licenciatura en biología. Mientras estudiaba en UNC, Franklin se desempeñó como pasante (asistente) en la Oficina para la Retención de estudiantes en el Proyecto Finish Line, un programa destinado a involucrar y apoyar a estudiantes varones de minorías. También fue mentor en el programa Scholar Latino Initiative donde brindó su apoyo a estudiantes de secundaria, realizando talleres de preparación universitaria que incluían información sobre el proceso de solicitud, cumplir con los requisitos de admisión, y asegurar ayuda financiera. Se desempeñó como coordinador de la Asociación Hispana en UNC y trabajó como asistente durante un verano con Gilded Realty Group en Mebane.

Actualmente trabaja como operario de equipo pesado para la empresa Sealing Agents Waterproofing, Franklin  es apasionado por ayudar y servir a la comunidad. En estos momentos, hace parte de la Junta de Planeación del Condado de Chatham.  Como miembro de la Junta de Comisionados, Franklin luchará por el condado de Chatham en los temas  de

• Incrementar el acceso a vivienda económica
• Promover el crecimiento siguiendo el Plan de Uso de la tierra en Chatham
• Abogar por salarios justos
• Proteger los derechos de los inmigrantes.
• Apoyar una educación de calidad para todos.
• Escuchar las diversas perspectivas de los ciudadanos de Chatham
• Proporcionar liderazgo colaborativo

Franklin Gomez tiene el apoyo de todos los cuatro Comisionados Demócratas de la Junta.

"Franklin será una excelente incorporación a la Junta de Comisionados del Condado de Chatham como el primer hispano en ser elegido en Chatham. Su entusiasmo, antecedentes e interés por sus vecinos de Siler City proporcionarán una nueva voz en nuestro diverso condado."
Diana Hales, Comisionada, Distrito 3

"Me complace respaldar a Franklin Gomez para el puesto del Distrito 5 en la Junta de Comisionados del Condado de Chatham. Como hispanoamericano de primera generación que fue educado aquí en Chatham y en UNC Chapel Hill, Franklin aportará una nueva perspectiva que mejorará el trabajo de la junta y contribuirá a la calidad de vida en su comunidad y más allá.”
Karen Howard, Comisionada, Distrito 1 

Lugares de votación para los distritos electorales (precincts) para el Condado de Chatham en el Día de Elecciones

Mapa de los distritos electorales (precincts) y lugares de votación del Condado de Chatham Note que este mapa no tiene los lugares de votación correctos para 2020, pero sí muestra los límites correctos de los distritos electorales.

Verificar su registro y acceder información relacionada con él en el sitio de la Junta de Elecciones del Estado

Información de votación para la votación temprana en persona

Información para la votación en ausencia por correo

Calendario de elecciones

• 17-20 de agosto – Convención Nacional del Partido Demócrata
• 4 de septiembre – Empieza el envío por correo de las papeletas de votar en ausencia
• 15 de octubre – Empieza la votación de ausencia en persona (votación temprana)
• 31 de octubre – Termina la votación de ausencia en persona (votación temprana)
• 3 de noviembre – Día de Elecciones

La papeleta de votación

Presidente - Joe Biden

Vice Presidente - Kamala Harris

Senado de los EE. UU.  -Cal Cunningham

Casa de Representantes de los EE. UU. Distrito 4  - David Price

Casa de Representantes de los EE. UU. Distrito 13 - Scott Huffman

Gobernador de Carolina del Norte - Roy Cooper

Gobernador Lugarteniente de Carolina del Norte - Yvonne Holley

Secretaria de Estado de Carolina del Norte - Elaine Marshall

Comisionada de Trabajo de Carolina del Norte - Jessica Holmes

Comisionado de Seguro de Carolina del Norte - Wayne Goodwin

Procurador General de Carolina del Norte - Josh Stein

Auditor de Carolina del Norte - Beth Wood

Superintendente de Instrucción Pública de Carolina del Norte - Jen Mangrum

Tesorero de Carolina del Norte - Ronnie Chatterji

Senado de Carolina del Norte Distrito 23 - Senador Valerie Foushee

Casa de Representantes de Carolina del Norte Distrito 54 - Representante Robert Reives

Comisionada del Condado de Chatham Distrito 1 - Karen Howard

Comisionado del Condado de Chatham Distrito 2 - Mike Dasher

Comisionado del Condado de Chatham Distrito 5 - Franklin Gomes Flores

Jueza Principal del Tribunal Supremo de Carolina del Norte - Cheri Beasley

Jueza del Tribunal Supremo de Carolina del Norte Asiento 2 - Lucy Inman

Juez del Tribunal Supremo de Carolina del Norte Asiento 4 - Mark Davis

Jueza del Tribunal de Apelación de Carolina del Norte Asiento 4 - Tricia Shields

Jueza del Tribunal de Apelación de Carolina del Norte Asiento 5 Lora Christine Cubbage

Juez del Tribunal de Apelación de Carolina del Norte Asiento 6 Gray Styers

Juez del Tribunal de Apelación de Carolina del Norte Asiento 7 Reuben Young

Jueza del Tribunal Distrito 15B Asiento 2, Jueza Samantha Cabe

Juez del Tribunal Distrito 15B Asiento 3 Hathaway Pendergrass

Jueza del Tribunal Distrito 15B Asiento 4 Sherri Murrell

Jueza del Tribunal Distrito 15B Asiento 5 Beverly Scarlett

Registro de Escrituras Lunday Riggsbee

Junta de Educación Distrito 1 Melissa Hlavac

Junta de Educación Distrito 2 David Hamm

La Junta de Elecciones del Condado de Chatham sigue todas las reglas generales para el Covid-19. Por eso, muchos lugares de votación para el Día de Elecciones han cambiado para esta elección para permitir la distancia social. Se han contratado a empleados adicionales para ayudar con la desinfección y otras protecciones para los votantes y los trabajadores de la elección. Favor de darle gracias a la Directora de la Junta de Elecciones del Condado, Pandora Pascal, y sus empleados por su trabajo difícil.

Favor de reportarse en las semanas siguientes si quiere ofrecerse de voluntario para ser Saludador del PDCC del Lugar de Votación en el Día de Elecciones.