The North Carolina Democratic Party extends our sincerest thanks to Jonah Garson as he steps into his new role as state senator for Caswell, Orange, and Person counties. As First Vice Chair, Garson brought his experience as an organizer, attorney, and voter protection advocate to strengthen our state party. During his tenure at the state party he helped drive the effort to create a first-of-its-kind Judicial Caucus in-house at the NCDP, grow our recurring donor program, recruit and resource candidates from the state legislature to school board, and help run one of the largest state parties in the country.

The steps to fill this vacancy are outlined in section 4.02 of the NCDP Plan of Organization: “Vacancies occurring among the elected officers of the state executive committee shall be filled within sixty (60) days following the creation of the vacancy. The state chair shall call a meeting of the state executive committee to fill that vacancy and any other vacancies that might be caused by the action of such committee in filling the vacancy.”

The North Carolina Democratic Party has a previously scheduled Summer SEC Meeting, which will occur on June 27th, 2026. We will vote to fill Senator Garson’s vacancy at that meeting. Interested candidates should submit their information via this form for presentation to the members of the State Executive Committee ahead of the vote. Per our party’s gender-balance rules, the First Vice Chair must identify as male or nonbinary.

Garson announced his resignation from his current party leadership role in an email earlier this morning to members of the North Carolina Democratic Party State Executive Committee.

“A little over three years ago, our team stepped in to rebuild the party. With your collaboration and support, we have built together an organization replete with great leaders–staff and volunteer–with a permanent, statewide organizing infrastructure in Project 100, a new Judicial Caucus, and a powerful litigation engine to fight for our voters,” said First Vice Chair Garson. “We’ve won some pretty sweet victories in some pretty difficult circumstances. I am so, so proud of what we’ve achieved together. And while there’s nothing in our party rules requiring that I resign my position as First Vice Chair of our North Carolina Democratic Party, I feel it’s the right thing to do if I’m going to give this new role–and my enormous and mostly rural district–all of the attention it deserves. I also feel it is important to open up new leadership opportunities for other folks who are ready to lead.”

“Jonah has demonstrated a genuine commitment to service over the years – from county chair to state party First Vice Chair, from DNC member to state senator,” said Second Vice Chair Dr. Kim Hardy. “So much of what he’s done has been the tireless and invisible work that helps move our party forward. While I’ll miss having him as a fellow Vice Chair, I am genuinely happy to see him ascend to this next level of leadership.”

“Jonah has played an integral role in the reform of this state party. I am grateful for his hard work and dedication to creating a Judicial Caucus to give judges and justices the attention they need to win elections at the top of ticket and every level below it,” said Third Vice Chair Elijah King.

“For the past 3 years, I have had the opportunity to work side by side with Jonah and I have watched him work tirelessly for the party. His energy and persistent pursuit to strengthen candidates across all levels of government has helped secure crucial victories across the state,” said Chair Anderson Clayton. “Even though he had to stop every couple of hours to recharge his electric car, he traveled across the state to show up for the party. I know he will take that same energy to the NC Senate and I look forward to seeing what he does for his constituents – since I’m one of them!”

For bios and photos of our NCDP leadership click here.

Photo Courtesy: Matt Ramey / March 2025
Pictured Left to Right: Senator Jonah Garson, Chair Anderson Clayton, Third Vice Chair Elijah King, Second Vice Chair Dr. Kimberly Hardy
(Bottom) Secretary Melvin Williams

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