North Carolina Democratic Party

Candidates for NCDP Office

To be voted on at the meeting of the State Executive Committe - Feburary 2, 2013

(Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.  If you are running for NCDP office and do not see yourself listed below, please send a brief bio and a picture to cpittman@ncdp.org)

Chair

Randy Voller

After consultation with a number of party leaders and grassroots activists in North Carolina, I have decided to run to become the next Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party (NCDP). It is my firm belief that all politics begin at the local level and I want to bring the focus of party building efforts back to each county, and in the effort, highlight the importance of making the Democratic Party relevant and vibrant to the citizens in every county of the great State of North Carolina.

For decades we have led the way nationally on building a more economically durable and equal society and it’s time to link the values of the "New Deal", the "New Frontier", the "Great Society" the "Civil Rights Movement", the "Equal Rights Movement" and the "Environmental Movement" with the Democratic Party of the 21st Century. 
As the chair, I will advocate for the foundational values of community, opportunity, fairness, transparency and equality, which will manifest locally through investment in our communities, rebuilding aging infrastructure and supporting local businesses; by creating opportunities for all of our citizens as opposed to the few; ensuring that our policies and laws are fair and not arbitrary or capricious; demanding transparency from our institutions whether they are public or private; and by striving to ensure equality for all as opposed to allowing pockets of second class citizenship to fester in plain view.

By investing in our local communities and engaging the vitality of the grassroots community in every county we will individually and collectively send a message that we want to succeed as a party and that we oppose the cynical cycle of fragmentation, tribalism and hollow goals that have extracted a vampiric toll on our future and ultimately diluted the American Dream for North Carolinians.

http://randyvoller.nationbuilder.com/

First Vice Chair

Nina Szlosberg-Landis

Nina has worked for many years helping Democratic candidates; from local city council races to Democrats running for the General Assembly, Members of Congress and most recently President Obama.  She started as a grassroots activist working in her neighborhood organizing and working on city council elections, and she continues to be active in local elections. 

Now she chairs the NC League of Conservation Voters and is on the Board of Lillian's List which helps recruit and elect progressive women to the NC Legislature. Nina is known for her fundraising but she also wants people to know that she is someone who will work hard on organizing, recruitment and strategy.

Nina is from Wake County but has travelled statewide for both Lillian's List and the NC League of Conservation Voters.  She was also on the NC Board of Transportation for 12 years, serving as the state's first environmental representative.

Gwen Wilkins

Gwen is currently serving as 1st Vice Chair of the State Party. She has served as a PTA President, District PTA President for the NC Congress of Parents and Teachers, Precinct Chair, County Chair, Chair of the Utility Review Board in Rocky Mount, and as Chair of the 1st Congressional District Democratic Party. She was appointed to the NC State MLK, Jr. Commission by Governor Bev Perdue and is still serving in that capacity. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Justice Studies from NC Wesleyan College.

"I have always fought for and defended what is right and will continue to do so. There has not been a call I did not return, an email or text I did not answer. Let me continue to be your voice, your champion--for two more years and, together, we will make it happen"

Second Vice Chair

My name is Dick Crews. I am running for the position of 2^nd Vice Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party.  I am presently County Chair in Avery County.  Avery County is located in the Blue Ridge mountains of our beautiful state of North Carolina.

I also wear a second hat as President of the Association of North Carolina Democratic County Chairs. In this job I am concerned with all 100 counties in North Carolina. The Association, which is only two years old, is working to see how we can help this critical part of the North Carolina Democratic Party.

I come from a small county in Western North Carolina but I must view the statewide problems of all county chairs. Every county has basic problems of getting volunteers and fundraising.

In North Carolina 85 of its 100 counties are considered small. Some party members have suggested that the Democratic Party just concentrate on the 15 largest counties because they supply most of the state’s Democratic votes.

I strongly oppose that idea that we can have a strong state party with 85% of our counties being neglected. All 100 counties have to work to make us the strongest party in our state, North Carolina.

Please email me with questions dickcrews@gmail.com or go to NC Chairs on Facebook.

Zack Hawkins

As a native North Carolinian, Zack's commitment and passion for our State runs deep. Zack grew up in Eastern North Carolina, Beaufort County, and enjoyed the small town life of Chocowinity. Zack received a B.S. in Biology from Elizabeth City State University and later a M.S. of Biology from North Carolina Central University. During this time, Zack remained active in the North Carolina Democratic Party through various leadership roles, volunteer positions, and helped elect Democratic candidates both statewide and locally. Zack also proudly served as President of the Young Democrats of North Carolina from 2007-2009.

Third Vice Chair

Andy Ball

Born in Charlotte, raised in Raleigh, and now one of North Carolina’s youngest elected officials in Boone, Councilman Andy Ball has served the Democratic Party from the precinct level to the YDA National Committee.

Elected and re-elected to the Boone Town Council as an undergraduate student at Appalachian State University, Councilman Ball  has helped rebuild the Democratic Party’s brand by helping integrate more youth leadership in the Party.  Andy has advised young leaders across North Carolina on "best practices" for starting out in party leadership and local elected office.

In addition to his work in the Democratic Party, 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, operating with the highest ethical standards and with an absolute commitment to grassroots organizing.”

Chris Hardee

A lifelong resident of Coastal Carolina, he grew up on the Outer Banks in Manteo.  Chris studied Political Science and Public Administration at East Carolina University.  While there, he was elected as the Vice President of the NC Federation of College Democrats and later the Secretary of the Young Democrats of North Carolina.  Continuing NC's history of National Youth Leadership, he was the YDA Administrative Director for over 2 years.  His background is not just in party politics but he has a broad background in campaigns as well.  Having served on staff for numerous council of state, judicial and local races, Chris brings a strong balance of what is needed to build our party for the long haul and prepare to win our next election.  His background is long and diverse both in our party and in the private sector. Chris has served over a decade as a District Leader having been first elected as the 3rd District Chair in 1999.  Twice he was elected as a County Chair in Dare County.  A longtime SEC member, he serves on the Executive Council and has been on the Platform/Resolutions committee, Plan of Organization Committee, DNC Delegate Selection Committee and the Council of Review.

Professionally Chris is a real estate broker/manager and a planning & organizational management consultant.  His strong belief in community service goes beyond my work with the Democratic Party as he is a long time leader in the Lions Club and Jaycees, having been elected as a District Governor and State President respectively.  A 2004 graduate of LeadershipNCAR, he is a Past President of the Chicamacomico Historical Association.  Additionally he is a 2001 Fellow of the Institute of Political Leadership.  Chris married the former Jocelyn Wright in 2010 and is a new father to a cute 4 month old baby boy (David Edward Hardee).

Jason Jenkins

I was born and raised in Creedmoor, NC, which is in Granville County. I have been active in politics for over 11 years and have worked on over 30 campaigns, from local, to state, to federal. I have been the campaign manager for numerous campaigns. Most recently I was the campaign manager for Marlowe Foster who ran for the democratic nomination in the NC Labor Commissioner race.

In the 8 or so years I have been a Democrat, I have served at all levels of the Democratic Party. I am currently the 1st Vice Chairman of the Granville County Democratic Party and ­­­­1st Vice Chairman of the 13th Congressional District of the NCDP. I also serve as the 13th Congressional District Chairman for YDNC. I previously served as Southeast Regional Director for the LGBTQ Caucus of the Young Democrats of America.

The 3rd Vice Chair is normally the rep for the youth in our Party, here are my plans related to youth:

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

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

3) Have the NCDP allocate dollars to go specifically to the NCTD to hold events to bring in new members, to register more democratic voters, etc.

Other items I would like to work on:

1) We need a clear, direct message to bring more citizens back to our side. The Republicans are great at messaging and I think it's about time we give them a run for their money.

2) We need to reach out to Hispanic Americans and welcome them to our Party and provide them with reasons to vote Democratic.

3) We need to help our 100 counties organize from the grassroots up and share ideas from county to county. I am a diehard grassroots activist who believes elections are won at the local level! I promise that I will be present and active throughout the entirety of the term and work my butt off for the North Carolina Democratic Party!!!

Secretary

Melvin Williams

When current State Party Secretary T. E. Austin wrote to tell me he would not seek re-election, He said "No one could do that job as well as you, Melvin."

I happily invite all SEC Members to vote for me for Secretary at the February 2nd SEC Meeting in Durham!

My health is good.  I am working 45 hours a week at my job and about 10 hours a week on the "GOOD NEWS ABOUT DEMOCRATS" newsletters.

Many people have said I was the best Secretary the Party has had.  They liked the fact that I always sent out the Minutes of Party meetings with the required 14 days.  In fact I sent them out in only FOUR days!  They said my Minutes were fast, accurate, and easy to understand.  Example:  At our SEC Meeting last May 12th in Greensboro the public address system was muffled.  Many people said they did not understand everything that was done that day until they received my Minutes.

I have a passion for listening intently and recording history.  I majored in history at Duke University and I am fascinated by recording history as it is being made at our State Democratic meetings!  When you elect me, I will continue to lift your spirits every week by assembling, writing, and sending out to you "GOOD NEWS ABOUT DEMOCRATS!"