The Democratic Women of Guilford County will host a municipal candidate forum at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Greensboro at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Julie Lapham, who is running for an at-large seat on Greensboro City Council, tells me that only registered Democrats and unaffiliated candidates were invited to participate.
I've e-mailed the organizers to ask which candidates have confirmed that they will attend.
This marks the beginning of a busy season of candidate forums in Greensboro. The Guilford County Unity Effort, of which I am a part, holds its first forum next Tuesday at the Greensboro Historical Museum.
UPDATE, Sept. 1, Time: Mary Bell with Democratic Women confirms that only Democrats and unaffiliated candidates have been invited.
She says in a recent e-mail that the following candidates have confirmed that they will attend:
For mayor:
Yvonne Johnson
For at-large:
Marikay Abuzuaiter
Max Benbassat
Sandra Anderson Groat
DJ Hardy
Julie Lapham
Ryan Shell
Nancy Vaughan
For District 1:
Dianne Bellamy-Small
Luther T. Falls Jr.
Daron R. Sellars
For District 2:
Gordon Hester
Jim Kee
For District 3:
George Hartzman
For District 4:
Joel Landau
Mike Martin
For District 5:
Art Boyett
Astute readers will recall that Ryan Shell was registered as a Republican, but Bell says in a follow-up e-mail that he switched to Democrat on Friday. Although the record posted on the state board of elections website currently lists him as Republican, an employee of the Guilford County Board of Elections confirmed that they processed the new registration today.
UPDATE, Sept. 2, 5:24 p.m.: Lots of discussion about Ryan Shell's switch at Guilford County Republican Party Executive Director Tony Wilkins' blog here, here and here.
UPDATE, Sept. 3, 12:55 p.m.: Michele Smith writes on behalf that the following candidates have now confirmed that they will attend the forum: Jorge Cornell (at-large), Ben Holder (District 1),Dan Fischer (District 2), Jay Ovittore (District 3). Smith indicates there is a possibility that Nettie Coad (District 2) may attend.
5 comments:
Jorge Cornell, who is registered independent, will be participating in both forums.
Wow! I am actually amazed that Ryan Shell switched from a REPUBLICAN to a Democrat…well no not really. Here is an individual that spent over a year acting like he was concerned about District 2, walking down MLK talking to concerned citizens about the neighborhood, showing up at various DISTRICT 2 functions prior to registering to run in the District, etc. Then he registers to run in District 2. Shortly after that Nettie Coad announces that she is going to run in District 2. Because of Coad Shell then runs like a dog with its tail between its legs to run at large because he felt “it was a winnable seat”. And now look after being a devoted Republican he “decided” to become a Democrat. Come on Ryan, are you serious? I know that it is continually said that because Guilford County is a liberal county, you can’t “WIN” and election here unless you are a Democrat. But wow, Ryan this is amazing. I guess you are again just doing what you feel you have to do to “win” a seat on city council. You are a true blue politician. You act like you are really concerned about the city and its citizens but at the end of the day you are only concerned about your political career. How can voters in this county trust where you stand when hell, “YOU” don’t even know where you stand. Either you are a Republican or you are a Democrat. Either you are running in District 2 or At-Large. Every time I try to follow what you are doing I can’t because you change with the wind. Well, I guess next week you will announce you are an African-American liberal man instead of a young, conservative (oh, sorry liberal) white male, I mean only if your strategy team informs you that that’s what you need to do to gain a seat.
It would be great to have commenters identify themselves by name because it would make for a much more genuine and honest discussion, in my opinion. I don't think comments like the one above, which verge on personal attack, really advance that goal. That said, it's not my place to make a policy for YES! Weekly. Since we're nowhere near mandating that folks put their name behind their words, please, commenters, consider my request.
In any case, Anonymous, considering that Ryan has been campaigning in areas that are poor and predominantly African-American and that he has shown a real concern for the conditions of people of ordinary means, I wonder if it's the case that the candidate concluded that the Democratic Party more closely reflected his political values rather than that he's a cynical opportunist. My mind is open to that possibility, anyway.
Jordan, come on now. You don't really believe that do you?
This is a man when asked why he hired trudy wade's henchman (burchley) he responded, He wins elections.
This is an extremely ambitious young man, who REALLY want to hold an elected office and is willing to do whatever it takes to get there. If that means to try to pander for the black vote to get it done so be it.
I guess his strategy is to go after those Obama voters (young, progressives, minorities). He is more palatable for some people of those people who just can't vote for Cornell because they just can't get past STUFF.
Don't hate the playa, hate the game. I'm not mad at the young man. Maybe the black community can use his blind ambition for their gain.
I'm just afraid if he happens to get on there he will become like his idol, mike barber. Oh the horror!
Could be. I'm not going to make conclusions until I have a chance to fully discuss the issue with him. Speaking of which -- Ryan, I want to interview you for a profile soon.
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