GOOD NEWS ABOUT DEMOCRATS!
MARCH 9, 2017
RECORD BREAKING CROWDS AT PRECINCT MEETINGS STATEWIDE!
41 DEMOCRATS AT KURE BEACH PRECINCT MEETING!
Congratulations to Chair Randy Gilliland and all the Democrats of Kure Beach Precinct (FP-03)
in New Hanover County for having 41 Democrats at their March 5th Precinct meeting!
This was not a cluster. It was 41 people in one precinct! Attention: They donated $1395.00
to the State Sustaining Fund. Democrats are turning out statewide to protest Trump!
Their neighbors at Carolina Beach had 23 people at their Precinct Meeting and
donated over $1,000.00 to the State Sustaining Fund!
MORE THAN 100 ATTEND BLACK MOUNTAIN CLUSTER!
More than 100 people filled the Wild Hare for the March 4th Cluster Precinct Meeting
in Black Mountain. They organized 7 Precincts – two more than last year.
Keith Thomson is one of the leaders who helped organize this big meeting.
A HAPPY HUNT PICTURE!
Governor and Mrs. Jim Hunt are joyfully holding their newest great-grandchild,
Banks Thornton Hawley. Banks has an older brother named Issac.
He is the grandson of Jimmy and Rebecca Hunt Hawley.
His parents are Joseph and Casey Hawley.
All North Carolina Democrats are happy to welcome Banks to our family!
LET’S COME TOGETHER TO HONOR RON SANYAL!
Everyone is invited to come to the State Party Headquarters to salute Ron Sanyal at:
6:00PM – 7:00PM, Saturday, March 18, 2017
Since he arrived in America almost 40 years ago, Ron has been a source of joy, encouragement,
and unity. With his theme of “Unity Through Diversity,” he has organized many
Democratic Party “INTERNATIONAL NIGHTS.”
Now he has been diagnosed with Stage Four Lung Cancer.
This is not a fundraising event. Come and enjoy honoring this great Democrat!
BRUNSWICK DEMOCRATS HAVE ORGANIZED ALL PRECINCTS!!!
County Chair Janis Simmons is in the middle of this picture taken at the meeting during which
Oak Island # 1 and Oak Island # 3 Precincts were organized. Brunswick Democrats
have now organized all 26 of their 26 precincts. Congratulations!
WHY IS THIS PICTURE IN A DEMOCRATIC PUBLICATION?
Why is this picture of GOP Congressman David Rouser’s March 6th
Brunswick County Town Hall meeting being featured in this publication?
Because Brunswick County Democrats arrived very early and filled
over 90% of the 1,500 seats in the Odell Williamson Auditorium
at Brunswick County Community College in Bolivia, NC!
When several hundred Republicans arrived, they could not get in!
The Democratic audience asked many penetrating questions
which drew rounds of applause from the crowd.
Democrat Madi Polera stood up at the Rouser Town Hall with two bottles of water in her hands.
The brownish water in the bottle on the left was taken from the Cape Fear River.
The clear water on the right was taken from her kitchen faucet.
She effectively made the point that Rouser’s plan to scale back the EPA is dangerous.
NIDA ALLAM TO ADDRESS JOHNSTON COUNTY DEMOCRATS!
NCDP Vice Chair Nida Allam will be the Keynote Speaker at a joint meeting of the
Democratic Women and Democratic Men of Johnston County at
6:30PM, Thursday, March 16th,
St. Pauls Episcopal Church, 218 South 2nd Street, Smithfield, NC 27577
All Democrats are invited to come to this happy meeting!
FIRST SATURDAY DINNER – JOHNSTON DEMOCRATS!
The First Saturday Dinner of the Johnston County Democratic Party
was held at Clayton Steakhouse on March 4 th. These First Saturday events give people a chance
to visit and discuss any subject they like. Pat LeGrand is one of the organizers of these events.
HOLLY SPRING & FUQUAY VARINA DEMOCRATS!
The people who are raising their hands are the Democrats who are attending their first Precinct
Meeting ever. More than 200 attended this Cluster Meeting of Holly Springs and Fuquay Varina
Democrats. Look closely and you will see that there is a second room
filled with Wake Democrats in the back. They met on March 4th.
APEX DEMOCRATS!
The top of Wake County Democratic Party Chair Brian Fitzsimmons’ head is shown at the
bottom of this picture of the massive turnout of Democrats at the Apex Cluster Precinct Meeting
on March 5th. Yes, the people raising their hands are first time attendees!
WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY DEMOCRATS!
Fifth District Congressional Candidate Jenny Marshall was the speaker at the February
meeting of the College Democrats of Wake Forest University.
The Officers of the chapter are:
President – Alex Fulling
Political Director – Caleb Woody
Co-Vice President – Faith-Marie Engle
Communications Director – Kate Shapiro
Co-Vice President – Clara Ilkka
Chief of Staff – Madeleine Barbee
Events Coordinator – Adam Tomasi
Freshman Representative – Lizzie Lordi
YOUNG DEMOCRATS OF WAKE COUNTY!
The Officers of the Young Democrats of Wake County posed for this cheerful
picture after their February meeting. They are the largest YD Chapter in the state.
YOUNG DEMOCRATS CONVENTION!
COLLEGE DEMOCRATS CONVENTION!
TEEN DEMOCRATS CONVENTION!
MARCH 24 – 26, GREENSBORO
All three of our outstanding Democratic youth organizations
will elect Officers on Saturday, March 26.
This long link will take you to the Hotel Registration site.
The YD Early Bird Discount Ends Friday, March 10th!
http://www.ydnc.org/r?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marriott.com%2Fmeeting-eventhotels%2Fgroup-corporatetravel%2FgroupCorp.mi%3FresLinkData%3DThe%2520Young%2520Democrats%2
520of%2520NC%255EGSOWN%2560TYDTYDA%257CTYDTYDB%256099.00%2560
USD%2560true%25605%25603%2F24%2F17%25603%2F26%2F17%25603%2F10%
2F17%26app%3Dresvlink%26stop_mobi%3Dyes&e=46e884a41fb9e936a34bd3fb6
5774b4e&utm_source=ydnc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=book_your_room
&n=4
TIMOTHY WEBSTER FOR RE-ELECTION AS YOUNG DEMOCRATS PRESIDENT!
Timothy Webster of Greenville has announced that he is a candidate for re-election
as President of the Young Democrats of North Carolina.
Timothy has been a very active President. The picture above was made
at the Women’s March in Raleigh on January 21st.
In addition to serving as State YD President, Timothy has served as President of the
Pitt County Democratic Men, Official Delegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention
in Philadelphia, and Chair of his Precinct.
His goals for the next year include strengthening chapters, growing membership,
leadership and candidate training, and preparing YDNC for the 2018 elections!
This writer can add one more important talent which Timothy has:
He quickly replies to emails – and always replies with a positive spirit!
KRISS GOMEZ FOR EASTERN YOUNG DEMS VICE PRESIDENT!
You can learn more about Kriss Gomez by writing him at [email protected]
or by going to: http://www.facebook.com/krissascaniogomez?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kriss-a-gomez-515717ba
SAIID POWERS ELECTED PRECINCT CHAIR AT AGE 18!
This publication has frequently reported on the activities of an outstanding young man
in Robeson County – Saiid Powers.
Now he has achieved a new distinction: He was elected Chair of Precinct 8 in Lumberton
just after he turned 18! (His Birthday was on Monday of this week, February 6th.)
Saiid is a Senior at Lumberton High School where he is on the swim team. He ran Cross
Country in the fall.
He has chosen to attend East Carolina University in the fall of 2017.
Saiid has applied for a Summer Internship in the Department of Defense and he hopes to
land a job in Washington, DC.
This dynamic young man loves cars and he is active in numerous clubs and organizations in
Robeson County. He was especially active in helping victims of Hurricane Matthew. He serves on
the altar at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. He frequently works at the Law Office of his
mother, Attorney Tiffany Powers. His father, Kim Powers, does investigative work for the family’s
law firm.
Saiid’s career goal is to graduate from pharmacy school and open a successful chain of
pharmacies. Saiid and his family are looking forward to the Robeson County Convention in April!
BRAD KENNEDY!
Brad Kennedy is leaving North Carolina after eight years of Democratic activism to pursue
a new opportunity that reflects his strong political skill set.
Brad joined President Obama in the picture above which was made in November, 2016
while Brad was working on the campaign of Democratic nominee for State Treasurer, Dan Blue III.
Brad is a proud graduate of North Carolina State University and a successful political
professional, raising a historic amount of money for the Young Democrats of Wake County, which
hosted the most successful P. R. Latta Dinner ever under his leadership.
After college, Brad worked at the Goodwin House and went on to help candidates win
campaigns up and down the ballot, including for Raleigh City Council and Rep. Brian Turner’s
multiple wins for State House. Through his volunteer and party involvement, Brad has been
committed to investing in the next generation of leadership and building a foundation for future
Democratic success in North Carolina. A fellow Democrat said: “Brad’s move is a big loss for
North Carolina Democrats, but we wish him the best in his future pursuits.”
Brad with Anne Marie Fristoe,
Micah Beasley, and Ian Oglesby
Sam Spencer and
Harry Johnson
with Brad
NCDP First Vice Chair Aisha Dew
with Brad
Brad during an after-election retreat
at Montreat, North Carolina in November, 2016.
In case you can’t read his tee shirt, it says:
“Have you hugged a Presbyterian today?”
In these pictures Brad joined Vonnie Brown and Justin Conley at a Green Bay Packers
game during a blizzard at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Micah Beasley with Brad at an Equality NC Gala
Harry Johnson, Brad, Duane Hall,
Doug Jackson, Sagar Sane and
(kneeling) Ben Stockdale
EVERYONE IS INVITED TO A RECEPTION FOR MATT CALABRIA!
FIRST LADY KRISTIN COOPER AT A ROBESON COUNTY SCHOOL!
First Lady Kristin Cooper brought encouragement and hope to the students of
W. H. Knuckles Elementary School in Lumberton when she participated in their reading program.
This school is surrounded by hundreds of empty homes and apartments which were rendered
unlivable by Hurricane Matthew. Many of the students have been out of their homes for months.
They were thrilled at the arrival of the First Lady!
In the picture on the left, the school’s Principal is wearing “Cat In The Hat”
attire as he promotes reading.
In the picture on the right, Robeson County Board of Elections Member,
Attorney Tiffany Powers, is with some students. She is wearing a pink blouse.
Tiffany is the mother of Saiid Powers who is featured on page 11.
WES TRIPP ANNOUNCES
FOR
FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CHAIR!
Press Release from Wes Tripp:
“My name is Wes Trip and I am running for Chair of the 4th Congressional District
Democratic Party. I am completing a term as the Eastern Regional Vice President of the
Young Democrats of North Carolina. I am beginning my second year as Vice Chair of Precinct
11-01 in Wake County and I currently serve as Third Vice Chair of the Fourth Congressional
District Democratic Party.
I am a second year law student at Campbell University School of Law in Raleigh and have
interned at the NC Attorney General’s Office working with the Department of Public Instruction.
In this summer I am honored to intern for Justice Sam Ervin IV on the North Carolina Supreme
Court.
If elected to this position, I will serve with discipline and organization to ensure that the
work of the 4th District is completed in an orderly and efficient manner. I will ensure that the
Officer’s Board serves its purpose as a voice for the members of the Democratic Party in the 4 th
District allowing them to express their opinions through resolutions and amendments to the Party
Platform. Finally, I will passionately work hard to represent the 4 th District on the NCDP Executive
Council.
Thank you all and I ask for your vote at the 4th Congressional District Convention in May!
Wes Tripp
[email protected], 919-616-8491
(In the picture above, Wes was overlooking Edinburgh, Scotland.)
LARGE CROWD AT NORTH MECKLENBURG CLUSTER!
More than 150 Democrats turned out for the North Mecklenburg Precinct Cluster meeting
in Huntersville on March 2nd. This was an all time high attendance!
They organized 13 Mecklenburg Precincts.
Dynamic Janice Lewis
chaired the meeting.
Talented Mecklenburg County Democratic Party
Matt Newton gave an uplifting talk.
The Democrats who joined Janice Lewis in organizing this terrific meeting included
Natasha Marcus, Budd Berro, Isabel Fairley, Jeanie Welch, and Danny Decker.
Chris Kachel wrote of the meeting:
“They were an inspiring group of energized progressives!”
STANLY COUNTY DEMOCRATS!
Eighth Congressional District Chair Dylan Frick welcomed VFW leader Mickey Drye
as the Keynote Speaker at the March 2nd dinner of the Stanly County
Democratic Century Club. Mickey spoke about the outstanding work the
VFW is doing in Stanly.
This picture shows part of the crowd of Stanly Democrats who attended.
Your Democratic Friend,
Melvin Williams, Secretary
North Carolina Democratic Party
Send Your GOOD NEWS to me at: [email protected]