August 5, 2026/Content Package
Water and Whatley, Fight For Voting Rights, LIAR
Here’s what we’re covering this week!👇
Water and Whatley
DC insider Michael Whatley has made it abundantly clear that he is on the side of the polluters who dumped forever chemicals into North Carolinians’ drinking water. Whatley took campaign cash from Chemours and then refused to answer questions about his stance on PFAS regulations or whether Chemours had adequately cleaned up their contamination in Eastern North Carolina. As North Carolinians continue to live with the impacts of forever chemicals in their communities, Whatley is continuing to sell them out for his own political benefit.
DC insider Michael Whatley sides with Chemours over North Carolina families:
- Whatley took thousands of dollars from the Chemours Company PAC while refusing to answer questions about his position on PFAS or Chemours.
- WUNC: “Questions Griffin did not address included whether Whatley believes Chemours has adequately addressed the contamination allegedly caused by it and DuPont; about the GOP candidate’s stance on the settlement agreement; and about the Trump EPA’s decision to rescind Biden-era health limits for GenX and three other PFAS.”
- For decades, Chemours dumped forever chemicals into the Cape Fear River in Eastern North Carolina. Earlier this year, researchers found high levels of PFAS in blood samples of Wilmington residents.
- Last year, Whatley championed spending cuts that delayed PFAS clean up at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base by five years.
The Fight For our Voting Rights Continue
Y’all, the fight for our democracy is moving fast.
NCDP Chair Anderson Clayton recently joined N.C. A&T student Xavier Jones on MS NOW to break down the GOP’s ongoing attacks on our right to vote. They highlighted the impact of closing on-campus voting sites and the dangers of the recently passed House Bill 958 on young people and people of color. The disastrous Election Bill would shorten the early voting period for primary and runoff elections from 17 days to 10 days.
The bill also allows the auditor to audit the results of any election. The same auditor that oversees the partisan county boards of election that conduct our elections. There’s a reason you don’t grade your own homework assignment.
Even more troublingly, the bill also opens the door for activist groups to challenge early voting ballots in the days after an election. This means that after you know around how many votes it would take to overturn a result you can find justifications for challenges to skew the results in a particular direction. If it sounds crazy that’s because it is. Legislation like this does nothing to ensure election integrity and everything to destabilize the pillars of our democracy.
It also expands data sharing with federal agencies and requires proof of U.S. citizenship during voter registration to hurt and keep voters from casting their ballots. Democrats roundly criticized House Bill 958, saying it will make unfounded voter challenges more likely, sow confusion, inject partisanship into election administration, and make it harder for eligible voters to have their votes count.
Chair Clayton told Hillyard: “We know that this has been a strategy that republicans have used since they knew that democrats and voters across North Carolina did not give them majorities coming into this election cycle. And what we’ve seen time and time again are voters and volunteers across this state meeting republicans where they are and making sure they’re showing up to these Board of Elections meetings and ensuring that we’re going to help students get out to vote this year across these colleges.”
Save Our Water
For every step forward we take two steps back and just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse. Davie County Board of Commissioners decided to pass a resolution that not only harms its residents but sets back protections that have been in place for decades, for our dental hygiene. You heard right, last night the Board unanimously passed a resolution to discontinue community water fluoridation in the Davie County Public Water System. Fluoridation has been a cornerstone of public dental health since its implementation in 1945, proven to reduce cavities and decay—particularly for children and families in rural or low-income areas without access to comprehensive dental insurance. By ignoring the consensus of dental professionals and medical experts, the Board has chosen to undermine a vital, cost-effective preventative health measure.
The American Dental Association reports that water fluoridation is one of the safest ways we can prevent cavities for children and adults. Roughly 70 percent of the U.S. population receives fluoridated community water. Water fluoridation prevents cavities by providing frequent and consistent contact with low levels of fluoride, reducing tooth decay by 25 percent in children and adults.
What’s next?! We’ve heard from our public health office that this trend may be popping up in more North Carolina counties due to “supply issues,” but we believe that shining a light on these local meetings is the best way to stop this from spreading.
Republicans unanimously block IVF coverage for military families
On the campaign trail, Trump called himself the “father of IVF” and promised to make in-vitro fertilization completely free. Like countless other promises, it turned out to be a complete lie. In his second term, he has abandoned Americans hoping to grow their families with IVF — and now, Senate Republicans have unanimously killed Senator Duckworth’s (D-IL) proposal to expand coverage for military service members and their families. So much for being the “pro-family” party.
That’s a wrap for this week’s messaging!
Now it’s your turn! Download the graphics below, copy our captions, and get the message out! Whether you’re lighting up the group chat or sharing it on your timeline, your voice is what actually moves the needle!
See y’all on the internet!
—NCDP Digital
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Another Unity Dinner in the books! ✨
Thank you to everyone who came together to support our efforts to elect Democratic leaders who will fight for equality, justice, and opportunity for all North Carolinians!
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This November we’re moving toward a better North Carolina. 💙
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Chuck got chucked.
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Fluoride prevents cavities. It’s safe, it’s proven, it works. Davie County just showed why local races matter as much as any other.
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Senator Elizabeth Warren gave an incredible speech at the Unity Dinner AND dropped ONE MILLION dollars into state parties like North Carolina. She’s not just talking the talk, she’s funding the fight.
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Donald claimed to be the “father of I.V.F.” Turns out that was just another lie.
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Governor Josh Stein is bringing the energy we need to win in November!
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We’re showing up in every county, every season, all year long. This is how we build democratic power. 👊
Stories To Boost:
MS NOW: ‘Modern-day poll tax’: NC A&T students FIGHT GOP voting restrictions
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NCDP Chair Anderson Clayton and North Carolina A&T University student Xavier Jones joined MS NOW’s Vaughn Hillyard to discuss the elimination of on campus college voting sites. Ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, North Carolina election officials have approved eliminating two early voting sites on college campuses, including one at the largest public HBCU’s, N.C. A&T and UNC Greensboro. Both discuss the fight over student voting rights, and why students are speaking out about access to the ballot box.
Elephant Of The Week:
AOL: Rep. Chuck Edwards drops re-election bid after censure recommendation over harassment claims
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Finally, Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C. has said he is dropping his bid for re-election, days after the House Ethics Committee recommended censure over sexual harassment allegations. Let’s hope he means it and we never see old Chucky again!
Treasurer Training Series | August 13th 6PM
Join us for this multi-part guide designed to empower Democratic Treasurers. We’ll be breaking down the fundamental aspects of the position, clarifying your core responsibilities, and highlighting the various resources at your disposal. This series is perfect for anyone serving in a treasurer capacity—whether for a county party, a caucus, or a specific candidate—and serves as a vital supplement to the state’s official training requirements.
Blue Wave Block Party | August 15th 11AM-4PM
We’re closing out the summer by kicking off election season in style. Join NCDP and Congresswoman Deborah Ross at Rebus Works for a good time with food, drinks, music, and fun for all!
West Fest | August 29th 4-8PM
Join Chair Anderson Clayton in Fairview, North Carolina on August 29th for our annual West Fest!
How to knock doors and use miniVAN | Multiple Days
Learn why one-on-one conversations with voters are so important, review door knocking best practices, and see how to use our canvassing tool, miniVAN!
Become an Anytime Canvasser for Anita Earls: Field Team Justice | Multiple Days
Field Team Justice is NCDP’s network of grassroots volunteers dedicated to electing Justice Anita Earls and our Court of Appeals candidates next year.
We’re launching our Anytime/Anywhere Canvassing program—an easy, flexible way to help voters learn about our judicial candidates. We’re putting powerful tools in your hands so you can grow this movement right from your own neighborhood.
Party Organizing Hybrid Phone Bank at NCDP HQ | Wednesdays 6-8 PM
Building power starts with engaging our neighbors. Join the Wake County Young Democrats, NCDP Regional Organizer Daniel Franch, and friendly neighbors on Wednesday evenings from 6-8pm at NCDP Headquarters in Raleigh or on Zoom to call friendly Democrats to talk about making a plan to vote in the 2026 midterm elections and invite them to upcoming events. No experience necessary. You’ll get all the training you need when we meet. If you join us in-person, we have pizza, snacks, and refreshing beverages. Join us to create a closer community and a bluer North Carolina!