Wake County Democratic Party News

Please join us on August 25th form 5:30pm – 7:30 pm and hear Congressman David Price and Congressman Brad Miller talk about their 2010 campaign and learn how we can send them back to Washington along with Elaine Marshall as our next US Senator from North Carolina.

We have a lot of work to do between now the start of Early Voting on October 22nd.

We'll have representatives from the County Party and from the NC Coordinated Campaign to tell you EXACTLY what we need to do to achieve success.

When: August 25, 2010
What: Campaign Rally
Where: 9910 Strickland Road, Raleigh, NC 27615
Time: 5:30 pm.

We'll have representatives and candidates throughout the County, Judges, Legislators, County Commissioners, Clerk of Court, Soil and Water.

We hope to see you there.

The Wake County Democratic Party is committed to supporting Democratic Candidates and understands that you need the proper tools to be successful. There is much to think about as you debate a career in public service. RSVP and attend the training if you are currently running for office, thinking about running for office or work on campaigns.

During the 2010 WCDP Campaign College you will learn about current campaign finance laws from Kim Strach, Director of Campaign Reporting, North Carolina Board of Elections. Deborah Ross, NC House Representative, District 38 and Wake County Commissioner Lindy Brown will team up to educate participants on Pathways to Victory. Come prepared with questions, challenges and concerns. RSVP by calling 919-828-5656. Registration closes Thursday, July 22, 2010. For specific questions regarding the program please call Abeni El-Amin 919-827-3118 or email abeni.elamin@gmail.com

Sometimes we seem to forget that The Declaration of Independence is more than just a piece of paper. It is a symbol of our country's independence and commitment to certain ideas.

The signers of the Declaration of Independence wanted the citizens of the United States to have a document that spelled out what was important to our leaders and citizens. They wanted us to be able to look at the Declaration of Independence and immediately think of the goals we should always be working for, and about the people who have fought so hard to make these ideas possible.

The people who signed the Declaration risked being hanged for treason by the leaders in Great Britain. They had to be very brave to sign something that would be considered a crime!

Every time we look at the Declaration of Independence, we should think about all of the effort and ideas that went into the document, and about the courage it took for these people to stand up for what they knew was right -- independence!

Today is certianly a different time than the colonial days, but with so many Americans out of work, two wars, a massive oil spill in the gulf and the upcoming elections, we should not take for granted a single word written in this incredible document.

Celebrate the Fourth of July, be thankful that you are lucky enough to be a citizen of such a wonderful Country and pledge to become an active citizen in your Country's electoral process. We cannot take for granted what so many people fight, die and dedicate their lives to.

Let us have courage to stand up for what we know is right, just and fair.

Fireworks

(taken in part from - www.history.com/topics/july-4th)

Elaine Marshall

The results are in and we've got a nominee for U.S. Senate in Elaine Marshall! No sooner had she captured the Democratic nomination than all North Carolina Democrats began to rally around her as the person to send Richard Burr packing this November.

Public Policy Polling has already reported that Elaine Marshall "has a strong chance" against Sen. Richard Burr, "easily the most endangered Republican incumbent in the country." The pollster compares Marshall's position favorably with that of Sen. Kay Hagan, who defeated Liddy Dole two years ago.

Get involved, contact her campaign today and let's get her elected. www.elainemarshall.org

From the News & Observer:

Published Wed, Jun 16, 2010

My sidewalk talk

In November 2007 following a Veterans Day event, I, too, had the experience of approaching Congressman Bob Etheridge while walking down the street. Unlike the "student," I extended my hand and told him my name. I shared with him my concerns about the lack of support for children with special needs and for military families when a parent is sent to combat.

He got a pen out of his car, took notes and my contact information, we shook hands and parted ways. Two days later, I received a call from his staffer asking for more information in order to find the best avenue to resolve this challenge.

This by no means excuses what happened between Etheridge and the no-named student on that Washington street. The congressman admitted the mistake and has apologized.

I get the sense, though, that the student got what he wanted: a damning video. I got what I wanted in my exchanges as well: a congressman who listens to his constituents and works for the people of North Carolina.

Joanne Casey
Raleigh

Record of service

In his many years in the public eye, I have never known Bob Etheridge to be anything but gentlemanly in his dealings with the public. He is a responsive legislator who continues to be returned to office by a swing district because fair-minded people in that district know he represents them well in Washington.

Throughout 2009, I watched Etheridge hold meeting after meeting in which he was abused, shouted at, ridiculed, berated and threatened by an obnoxious minority, and he never so much as raised his voice. Instead, he took measure of the needs of his district and the input of people who didn't shout at him, and voted his conscience.

One mistake does not erase a lifetime of public service, especially when that mistake is exactly what these anonymous gotcha "journalists" were trying to accomplish. Maybe Etheridge should have walked on. How many readers would have?

The bottom line is, I'll take Bob Etheridge on his worst day over his opponent, whose rhetoric and ideology does far more harm every day.

John Burns
Raleigh

thanks to everyone that came out and enjoyed the 1st Annual International Night. It was a great success.

Please join us at the Busy Bee Cafe in downtown Raleigh as we celebrate the diversity of our County.

Bring your favorite dish of cultural food, wear your cultural dress and join us as we celebrate and unite as one team of democrats.

We will honor T.K.Rao and Blaise Strenn for their work in democratic politics.

Event begins at 6:00pm
Cost is $10 per person $20 per family.

Come join us for good food, good company and great music with DJ Dominic.

Call 828.5656 or email admin@wakedems.org for additional information.

News Release
Wake County Board of Elections

JUNE 22, 2010 SECOND PRIMARY ELECTION

Early voting for the June 22nd Second Primary will begin on Thursday, June 3rd in the Wake County Board of Elections office only. No additional early voting sites will be open for the Second Primary.

The State Board of Elections has advised the counties that there will be no In-person registration during the early voting period for the Second Primary.

Who IS eligible to vote in the June 22, 2010, Second Primary?

• Wake County voters registered with the Democratic Party as of April 9, 2010, regardless of whether or not they voted in May.

• Wake County voters registered with the Republican Party as of April 9, 2010, ONLY if they live in Congressional District 13, regardless of whether or not they voted in May.

• Wake County voters registered as Unaffiliated as of April 9, 2010, ONLY if they meet the following conditions:

a. The Unaffiliated voter who did not vote in the May 4, Primary.
b. The Unaffiliated voter voted who voted a Democratic Party ballot in the May 4 Primary.
c. The Unaffiliated voter who voted a Republican Party ballot in the May 4 Primary AND resides in Congressional District 13.

Who is NOT eligible to vote in the June 22, Second Primary?

• Wake County voters registered with the Libertarian Party as of April 9, 2010.

• Wake County voters registered as Unaffiliated AND they voted the Nonpartisan Judicial ballot on May 4th, during the Primary.

• Wake County voters registered with the Republican Party as of April 9, 2010 AND they do not live in Congressional District 13.

The hours of early voting at the Board of Elections office will be 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday, beginning June 3rd. On Saturday, June 19th early voting will be conducted from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

All Wake County voters eligible to vote in the Second Primary may also request an absentee ballot by mail. All requests for absentee ballots MUST be made in writing and must include the voter’s name, current residence address, address where the ballot should be mailed (if different from the residence address), date of birth and daytime phone number (in case we have questions or need additional information) and signature. The request for an absentee ballot by mail should be mailed to:
Wake County Board of Elections,
Attn: Absentee Dept.,
PO Box 695,
Raleigh NC 27602.

The request must be received by 5:00 p.m. on June 15th.

Thanks so much for all your work leading up to and on Primary day. It is really appreciated!

On to Some primary results.....
Elaine Marshall did not reach 40% statewide, Cal Cunningham can request a runoff, and he has already said he wants one. The date for the primary runoff will be June 22 and every precinct will be involved.

Countywide turnout was around 11.5%. there were about 58,000 votes at the polls on May 4th.

The top ten turnout precincts were:
Pct %turnout NCHD
01-10 24.63% 34
01-11 28.24% 34
01-15 21.60% 34
01-17 21.73% 34
01-30 25.41% 34
01-36 21.35% 34
01-03 22.58% 35
01-29 23.58% 35
01-33 21.35% 35
01-05 27.95% 38
07-07A 32.77% 41

Results for the Judicial races
**Jane Gray came in second in both Wake County and Statewide and will be on the ballot in NOV against Ann Marie Calabria. Mark E. Klass came in third.

**In the other Court of Appeals race, Leto Copeley came in first in Wake County, but 3rd state wide. The race in NOV will be between Steven Walker and Rick Elmore. Alton D. (Al) Bain came in fourth in both Wake and Statewide.

**Damion McCullers came in third by just 617 votes in the District 10 race.