“Democrats in North Carolina are stuck in either a defeatist or a fantastical mindset. One group believes there’s not much the party can do about its predicament and should focus on statewide races while largely ignoring district contests.”
This may be true of voters. But it is NOT true of Anderson Clayton, nor of the team that she’s assembled as Chair of the NC Dems. Anderson and her team are convincing people to run, even if the district is gerrymandered. Durham hired a paid organizer. They have also proven open to people like me, a lifelong unaffiliated voter.
I agree that both major parties in the duopoly are heavily invested in maintaining the status quo. But many folks are not happy with polarization and gridlock. New voices are rising up, e.g., the Forward Party is running candidates as “Forward-aligned.” No loyalty pledge on controversial issues; “vote your conscience” is what they say to candidates. This is just one more thing that helps to open up the space for more choice and more voice for NC voters.
It's too early for quality polling as none of the candidates are household names. I live(d) in this district, but I think I have been gerrymandered out by a few blocks or precincts that vote (hopelessly) Democratic. The 2022 congressional race in this district was a travesty. Richard Hudson was gerrymandered into this district though he didn't live here, and barely campaigned, presuming correctly that voters would act simply as automatons and remain loyal to party, though they didn't know who they were voting for. Hudson's office produces an inane newspaper column about how he's "working for you," that the Chatham News and Record publishes as news or informed opinion rather than the propaganda that it is. The CN&R was last year purchased by North State Media, and now generally publishes national GOP hack columns rather than independent analysis from local people who reflect local interests. Can Etchison break through the partisan hack media to get her message out? Here's a video she posted, so maybe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00LM1__JNzk
“Democrats in North Carolina are stuck in either a defeatist or a fantastical mindset. One group believes there’s not much the party can do about its predicament and should focus on statewide races while largely ignoring district contests.”
This may be true of voters. But it is NOT true of Anderson Clayton, nor of the team that she’s assembled as Chair of the NC Dems. Anderson and her team are convincing people to run, even if the district is gerrymandered. Durham hired a paid organizer. They have also proven open to people like me, a lifelong unaffiliated voter.
I agree that both major parties in the duopoly are heavily invested in maintaining the status quo. But many folks are not happy with polarization and gridlock. New voices are rising up, e.g., the Forward Party is running candidates as “Forward-aligned.” No loyalty pledge on controversial issues; “vote your conscience” is what they say to candidates. This is just one more thing that helps to open up the space for more choice and more voice for NC voters.
Interested in some quality polling when you have some.
Brave woman
It's too early for quality polling as none of the candidates are household names. I live(d) in this district, but I think I have been gerrymandered out by a few blocks or precincts that vote (hopelessly) Democratic. The 2022 congressional race in this district was a travesty. Richard Hudson was gerrymandered into this district though he didn't live here, and barely campaigned, presuming correctly that voters would act simply as automatons and remain loyal to party, though they didn't know who they were voting for. Hudson's office produces an inane newspaper column about how he's "working for you," that the Chatham News and Record publishes as news or informed opinion rather than the propaganda that it is. The CN&R was last year purchased by North State Media, and now generally publishes national GOP hack columns rather than independent analysis from local people who reflect local interests. Can Etchison break through the partisan hack media to get her message out? Here's a video she posted, so maybe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00LM1__JNzk