North Carolina Democratic Party

GOOD NEWS ABOUT DEMOCRATS!

JANUARY 31, 2013

A GREAT DEMOCRAT WAS HONORED ON HER 80TH BIRTHDAY

OUIDA HEWETT - BRUNSWICK COUNTY!

Ouida Hewett, one of North Carolina's most dedicated Democrats, was honored on her 80th birthday at a big party at the Shallotte Baptist Church in Brunswick County on Sunday, January 27th.

Ouida (pronounced Wee-da) was Chair of the Seventh Congressional District from 1995 to 1997 and she has been the driving force behind most Brunswick Democratic Party activities for many years.  A talented pianist, she has entertained the Seventh Congressional District Convention for many years with her musical performances. She also plays the piano for the services of the Shallotte Baptist Church.

In the first picture above she is with Virginia Williamson, wife of the late Democratic legislator Odell Williamson.  She is with Billie Potter Barbee in the second picture.

In 1981 Ouida founded the South Brunswick Interchurch Council which has a large food for the hungry program.  Instead of bring presents to the birthday party, Ouida requested that guests bring non-perishable food donations for SBIC. A huge number of food items were brought to the party.  SBIC also helps people with rent, medical needs, medical transportation needs, and emergency electric bills. It has grown from 4 churches in 1981 to 28 churches now.  Guests also gave a total of $250 to the Brunswick Christian Recover Center which is Ouida's other major charity.

Happy Birthday, remarkable Ouida!

GWEN WILKINS & NINA SZLOSBERG-LANDIS 

President Obama is a lucky man:  He has had his picture made with both of our announced candidates for First Vice Chair of the NC Democratic Party, Nina Szlosberg-Landis and Gwen Wilkins.  Nina and Gwen, you made the President look good!

ANDY BALL & JASON JENKINS

CANDIDATES FOR THIRD VICE CHAIR

When this newsletter asked our three announced candidates for Third Vice Chair for statements, we received the two statements below.  The third candidate, Third Congressional District Chair Chris Hardee, had not responded when this edition went to press.

 JASON JENKINS - CANDIDATE FOR THIRD VICE CHAIR - GRANVILLE COUNTY

I have been active in political activity for over 11 years and have worked on over 30 campaigns including local, state, and national campaigns including being the Campaign Manager for numerous campaigns.  I am currently First Vice Chair of the Granville County Democratic Party, First Vice Chair of the 13th Congressional District Democratic Party, and Young Democrats Chair of the 13th Congressional District.

Since the Third Vice Chair is the representative for the youth in our Party, here are my plans for the youth:

(1) Create a Youth Leadership Council comprised of Teen Democrats, College Democrats, and Young Democrats ages 13-30 that will advise the 3rd Vice Chair and the Executive Council on youth involvement issues,

(2) Build a network of donors who support youth involvement in the Democratic Party to make it easier for Teen Dems and College Dems to attend conventions, conferences, and other Democratic Party events,

I will work with Democrats of ALL AGES to organize from the grassroots up and share ideas between counties.  I will help develop a clear, direct message to bring more voters over to the Democratic side.  I will reach out to Hispanic Americans and welcome them to our Party and provide them reasons to vote with us.

The endorsements I have received include:  The African American Caucus of the State Democratic Party, State Senate Deputy Democratic Leader Senator Floyd McKissick, Jr., 13th Congressional District Chair Jesse Goslen, State House Democratic Whip Representative Winkie Wilkins, Rep. Marcus Brandon, Rep. Nathan Baskerville, Rep. Rodney Moore, Wilson County Chair Asa Gregory, Granville County Chair Ellarine Alston, Cabarrus County Chair Grace Galloway, Randolph County Chair Jim Meredith, Gaston County Chair John Kellogg, Cumberland County Chair Dr. Vikki Andrews, Rowan County Chair Veleria Levy, Rockingham County Chair William Osborne,  Sixth Congressional District Chair Wayne Abraham, State Teen Dems President Dylan Frick, Past State Teen Dems President Vibhav Kollu, Durham County Young Democrats President Matthew Pepper, and SEC Members Stella Adams, Peter Alfredson, Watt Jones, and Lindy Brown.

Jason concluded his statement by saying: "If you want a hard working, totally dedicated Third Vice Chair, vote for Jason Jenkins!"

ANDY BALL - CANDIDATE FOR THIRD VICE CHAIR - WATAUGA COUNTY

Boone Councilman Andy Ball has served our Party from the precinct level to the State Executive Council of the North Carolina Democratic Party, and he is running for the Young Democrats seat on the NCDP Board so our Party can continue to activate young voters and volunteers to help elect Democrats.

Councilman Ball continues to build the Democratic Party brand by empowering Young Democrats across North Carolina.  He is a national leader in the Democratic Party, serving on the Young Democrats of America National Committee, as a state leader of the Democratic Municipal Officials, and as a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention.  Andy developed and oversaw the 2012 Field Plan for the Young Democrats of North Carolina, leading an effort that contributed hundreds of volunteer hours to Democrats at all levels. 

Elected and re-elected to the Boone Town Council as an undergraduate student at Appalachian State University, Councilman Ball is one of the strongest public sevants in western North Carolina.  Andy Ball has been involved in local government, community organizing, and environmental causes since 2001.  He has been recognized as a youth activist and leader at the state level and nationally.  Andy is active with the North Carolina League of Municipalities and with the national Young Elected Officials Network.

Andy sums up the Democratic Party's role best: "The state party exists to help win elections, and yes, that includes your county commission race and your NC House seat. We can't create a winning message as a party until we ask regular working people how they're doing and what they need.  We will build a stronger state party by helping county parties win local elections.

"I pledge to work with each of you to rebuild the NCDP by adhering to our core Democratic principles, and operating with the highest ethical standards and with an absolute commitment to grassroots organizing."

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Many Cumberland County Democrats honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by attending the Fayetteville Cumberland County Ministerial Council's 20th Annual Fellowship Breakfast.  Seated in the picture above (L-R) are Supreme Court Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson, County Democratic Party First Vice Chair Grant Mitchell, County Party Chair Dr. Vikki Andrews, and Sheriff Earl "Moose Butler.  Standing are SEC Member Carin Savel and SEC Member Carmela McKeller.

The enthusiastic Cumberland County Democrats pictured above attended the first Executive Committee meeting of the year at Bordeaux Library in Fayetteville on January 22nd.  Among the elected officials shown are Representative Rick Glazier, Senator Ben Clark, and Spring Lake Mayor Chris V. Rey.

INGRID NURSE - CABARRUS COUNTY

Strong Cabarrus County Democrat Ingrid Nurse took the train to Washington for the inaugural festivities. She arrived at 5:30PM on January 19th - just in time to race to her hotel room, change clothes, and run over to the Carolina Reception Celebrating The 57th Presidential Inauguration at the Library of Congress.

When she arrived at the Library she was greeted by Congressman Mel Watt of Charlotte and Congressman James Clyburn of South Carolina.  Ingrid attracts the dignitaries!  The past few months have been an exciting time for her because she was also a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

MRS. VANCINE STURDIVANT NAMED "CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN!"

Anson County Democratic Party Chair Vancine Sturdivant was named the "CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN" at the Anson Partnership For Children's $100 per person banquet in Wadesboro last week.  She was selected from a large group of nominees.

Mrs. Vancine has a passion for helping children in many ways including raising donations to give Christmas presents to over 3,000 children through her "Toys For Tots" drive.  All of these children received three toys each.

She also helps people of all ages - and she does it with joy.  She is highly deserving of this honor.

Mrs. Vancine will be honored at an "Appreciation Dinner" at 6:00PM on March 22nd at the Lockhart Taylor Building of South Piedmont Communitey College in Wadesboro.

    $10 tickets may be ordered from Mrs. Winnie Brown at wmbfh@yahoo.com.   Tickets for children 10 and under are only $5.

ORANGE COUNTY

The Officers of the Orange County Democratic Party are staging a "Thank You Party" to congratulate the hundreds of volunteers who worked so hard in the 2012 election.  It will be from 3PM to 5PM on February 10th at the Southern Human Services Building on Homestead Road in Chapel Hill.  Please RSVP to Third Vice Chair Ann Demaine at rdemaine@nc.rr.com.

     The occasion will be short on speeches and long on fun events including:

       - "Dance With Your Favorite Politican" with great music provided by the Tea Cup Gin Band

       - "Picture Taking With Barack and Michelle Obama cutouts and with local elected officials

       - A "Know Your Precinct" contest which will test attendees political knowledge - for prizes

       - A " What Are You Interested In" feature which will help set the Party's action agenda

Humorous:  When the Orange County Party sent out emails announcing this party,  the headline said: "Michelle and Barack Are Coming, Are You?"  This referred to the opportunity to have pictures made with the cardboard cutouts.  However, they received many calls and emails from people asking if the President and First Lady were really going to be at the party in person!

The outstanding leadership team of the Orange County Democratic Party is: 

Chair Matt Hughes

First Vice Chair Connie Mullinix

Second Vice Chair David Caldwell

Third Vice Chair Ann DeMaine

Secretary Vicki Boyer

Treasurer Missy Biggers

YOUTH FEATURE

JESSE PRESNELL - WATAUGA COUNTY!

Unprecedented:  Jesse Presnell was inducted into the Watauga County Hall Of Fame at age 24! When the award was presented to him in 2012, it was stated that he deserved this honor "for the incredible speed of his development into one of the most indispensible members of the county's Democratic campaign team." He is a native of Watauga County and for the past six years he has been deeply involved in all the County Party's activities and he has been crucial in the Party's success at reaching thousands through direct mail, social media, and other avenues of influence.  Fellow Hall Of Fame inductee Wade Wilmoth is with Jesse in the second picture above.

After being very active in Senator Barack Obama's campaign in 2008, he went to Washington to see his candidate inaugurated.  Back in Boone, Jesse became a "mover and shaker" in the Watauga Young Democrats, a Precinct Chair, and then Third Vice Chair of the County Party. 

Meanwhile he was honing his skills for political data, web site development, and social media strategies.  He became Social Media Director for the Billy Kennedy For Congress campaign in 2010 and quickly moved up to Deputy Finance Director and then Field Director, running all direct voter contact operations as well as voter targeting operations.

Following the 2010 election, he and his girlfriend, Jennifer Conley, formed their own political consulting and marketing company, Socialtopia Consulting. He has also continued to perform vital work for the County Party.

In 2012 he was Deputy Voterfile Director for the NCDP while Jennifer was Campaign Manager of Cullie Tarleton's re-election campaign. In Watauga County in 2012 he worked with a strong Young Democrats team including Ian O'Keefe and Jocelyn Hunt whom Jesse describes as "the lifeblood of the Watauga Young Democrats."

Jesse says he would not have been able to make the achievements he has made "without the mentorship I received from Pam and Jerry Williamson and the unyielding support of my girlfriend, Jennifer."   Jerry Williamson is in the picture on the left above along with Joycelyn Hunt, President of the Watauga Young Democrats.  In the picture on the right above Jesse with with his mother Melissa Soto, stepfather Dan Soto, and Jennifer.

Jesse is constantly on the move for the Democratic Party: On January 23rd he presented an election debriefing to the Democratic Women of Watauga County at their meeting at the County Library. He covered voting patterns, identified pockets of supporters, and analyzed the successes and of the 2012 election.

Jesse makes friends everywhere he goes.  In the left picture above he is with Boone Mayor Loretta Clawson and City Councilwoman Lynne Mason. In the right picture above he is with Congressman Brad Miller at an SEC meeting in Raleigh.  Jesse is a strong asset to the Democratic Party at all levels!

Your Democratic Friend,

Melvin Williams

Send Your "GOOD NEWS" And "DEMOCRATIC MILESTONES" To Me At" 

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