A day in Guilford politics: From TREBIC's cattle call to Pricey's silk-stocking progressivism

Maggie Jeffus, Democratic candidate for NC House, lends an ear to Jason Cannon, vice president of government affairs for the Greensboro Partnership.

It was a busy day in Guilford County politics.

Competing for candidates’ and voters’ time yesterday — depending somewhat on inclination, orientation and access — was the Triad Real Estate and Building Industries Coalition’s “Pig, Poultry and Politics” reception at Castle McCulloch outside of Jamestown, the early-voting tea party rally sponsored by Conservatives for Guilford County at Governmental Plaza in downtown Greensboro, an NC Senate Democrats function at the home of US Sen. Kay Hagan and a fundraiser for Democrat Pricey Harrison — the latter two events taking place in Greensboro’s exclusive Irving Park neighborhood.

The Triad Real Estate and Building Industries Coalition, or TREBIC’s annual “Pig, Poultry and Politics” event is billed as an “old-fashioned political rally,” but a note on the organization’s website stipulates, “This event is not open to the general public.” Candidates, according to local elections watchdog Keith Brown, are invited to come to attend for free. The listed price for tickets is $35. The “pig” in the events title refers to the barbecue pork on the banquet table. “Poultry” and “politics” need no explanation. Bluegrass music with patriotic flourishes is the music of choice.

Of all the political events in Guilford, this one draws candidates from the lowliest soil and water board race up, along with statewide candidates for court of appeals that are looking for exposure with the movers and shakers in the state’s third most populous county.

Candidates often struggle to be heard and noticed above the din of conversation.

While not comprehensive, candidates seen at this year’s event include Lon Cecil, Libertarian candidate for US House District 12; John Bloss and Jane Gray who are seeking separate seats on the NC Court of Appeals; Don Vaughan, who is seeking a seat in the NC Senate; Maggie Jeffus and Marcus Brandon, who seeking seats in the NC House; Becky Smothers, Mary Lou Andrews Blakeney, Regina Chahal, Bernita Sims, Jill Harwood, Christopher Whitley, Geoffrey Shull, Jason Ewing and Jim Corey, who are seeking seats on High Point City Council; and Dick Phillips, who is seeking reelection to the Guilford County Soil and Water Board.

While I was finishing my plate of barbecue at TREBIC’s event, Jeffus mentioned that she was leaving to attend a fundraiser for fellow Democrat and invited me to tag along. I accepted without hesitation.

Old colleagues: Cal Cunningham and Pricey Harrison

Harrison’s $100-per-head fundraiser took place at the gracefully appointed home of Margaret & Bill Benjamin. Harrison spent her childhood in the house before it passed from her family’s hands. Gathered at the reception were several prominent Democrats, including former US Senate candidate Cal Cunningham; former Greensboro Mayor Carolyn Allen; Margaret Arbuckle, Guilford Education Alliance executive director and former county commissioner; Wayne Abraham, Democratic chairman for North Carolina’s 6th Congressional District; and superior court judges Robby Hassell and Lindsay Davis. NC Sen. Don Vaughan came in late with his campaign manager from another fundraiser for the state Senate Democrats hosted by Sen. Kay Hagan’s nearby home that featured NC Senate President Pro Tempore Marc Basnight.

Laura Edwards, the candidate’s sister, took to the staircase to rally the crowd, rhapsodizing about a house that was once furnished with a bar stocked with Scotch between the living room and the library and reminisced about how Pricey Harrison had first discussed the idea of running for the House with their mother there, along with a train of other Greensboro politicians, including Yvonne Johnson, Carolyn Allen and Margaret Arbuckle.

“This house has a lot of memories,” said Harrison, a progressive Democrat who is an heir to the Jefferson Standard Life Insurance fortune and granddaughter of Greensboro City Council member Julian Price. “You all know that politics isn’t necessarily in my blood, but public service pretty much is, and this has been a real opportunity for me to shape policy on issues that I care a lot about — about environment, about civil rights, about social justice, about economic equity. You know, it’s not looking pretty in November. I’m feeling very good about my race, in large part because of y’all’s support. My poll numbers came back yesterday. I’ve got the best numbers in the state of any Democrat. I’ve got to keep my eyes on the prize because it’s going to be no fun to be in the minority in Raleigh. It’s hard enough being in the majority — I’ve told a lot of you all that — butting up against leadership on issues that I feel passionately about, but others don’t quite share my passion.”

Harrison added later: "We're gonna crush 'em in November. Hopefully, I won't have any opposition in 2012, so I can help out with other candidates' races."

Asked to quantify the internal poll numbers, campaign manager Matt Phillippi gave a more sober prognosis, describing Harrison's chances as "fairly positive."

Cunningham, a former colleague in the General Assembly who lost the Democratic primary for US Senate to Elaine Marshall, sang Harrison’s praises.

“She’s gonna call it right, and she’s gonna call it right for the right reasons,” he said. “I’ve appreciated watching her and working with her and supporting her and having her support. And so there is nothing, I think, more important than making sure her voice is still heard…. While the environment is tumultuous right now —voters are in a lot of anxiety. I think the public is anxious about where we are, where we’ve come from, and what the solutions are going to be to things like a three or four billion-dollar deficit in the state of North Carolina or the job challenges that we face nationwide. Those who have been making governing decisions have a lot to be proud of. And when we argue that to the public, the public, right now, as the polls have opened, are responding and energy levels are rising. The public attention, I think, is gathering to the fact that simply saying ‘no’ isn’t the way to get out of the hole that we are in. It takes innovation. It takes hard work. It takes drive. And it takes taking the case to the public in order to win.”

More photos [1, 2] on Facebook.

YW! extras: Wade's successor; Cunningham even with Marshall; cycling in Greensboro

Greensboro councilwoman names possible successor

Trudy Wade, the Republican nominee in the race for the open District 28 seat in the NC Senate, indicated to several people attending a monthly Guilford County Republican Party Executive Committee meeting on May 10 that she considers Tony Wilkins a good candidate to replace her in the District 5 seat on Greensboro City Council should she be elected to the state Senate, according to two independent anonymous sources.

Asked to comment on Wade’s statement, Wilkins said, “Discussion on a replacement would be premature at this point. However, if Dr. Wade has that confidence in me, then I’m honored.

A fellow Republican, Wade appointed Wilkins to the city’s War Memorial Commission in 2008. Wilkins serves as executive director of the county Republican Party.

That Wade will be forced to vacate her city council seat is far from certain. District 28 is the most Democratic-leaning state senate district in Guilford County. Wade faces Democrat Gladys Robinson in the November general election. Two factors could give the Republican candidate a chance to flip the seat. One would be if Bruce Davis, a Democrat who currently serves on the Guilford County Commission, manages to collect 5,000 signatures to get on the ballot as an independent. Another is the expectation of high turnout among Republican voters this year.

The two sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that a District 5 vacancy on the city council would be heavily contested and it is unclear whether Wilkins could attract a sufficient number of votes to be confirmed. They added that the Greensboro Legal Department is currently researching whether Wade would be allowed to vote on confirmation. Wade did not return calls for this story. — Jordan Green

Poll: Marshall, Cunningham in dead heat for Democratic nomination

A May 12 Public Policy Polling survey reveals that NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and former NC Sen. Cal Cunningham are now dead even at 36-36 in the first poll conducted since the May 4 primary. Marshall defeated Cunningham by nearly 10 percentage points during the Democratic primary for the US Senate seat currently held by Republican Richard Burr, but failed to win 40 percent of the vote, thereby forcing a runoff election on June 22. The survey attributed Cunningham’s surge to the fact his supporters appeared more committed to him than did Marshall’s supporters to their candidate. If that trend holds, it would work to Cunningham’s advantage if voter turnout remains low for the runoff election, according the survey. Voter turnout in the May 4 primary stood at 14.5 percent statewide. The survey also noted clear demographic lines in the runoff election. Cunningham, an Iraq war veteran and a recipient of the Bronze Star, has a distinct advantage among white voters, with a 43-32 margin, while Marshall enjoys a 44-22 advantage among African-American voters. Cunningham polls well among male voters with a 47-37 advantage over Marshall. Marshall, who is the first woman ever elected to state office in North Carolina, enjoys a 35-29 advantage over Cunningham among women respondents. Marshall also holds a 40-35 advantage among liberal voters, while Cunningham has a 38-25 advantage among conservative voters. The candidates tied in support from moderate voters at 37-37. — Keith T. Barber


Greensboro government and businesses collaborate to encourage cycling

Mayor Bill Knight has declared Monday through Friday Bike-to-Work Week in Greensboro. The city announced that refueling stations, where cyclists can stop for free coffee, juice and other refreshments, will be set up at various locations during the morning commute. On Thursday, refueling stations will be active at the UNCG traffic circle near Elliott University Center and REI at the Shops at Friendly Center from 7 to 9 a.m. On Friday, refueling stations will operate at Governmental Plaza and Spring Garden Bakery from 7 to 9 a.m. On Wednesday at 6 p.m., cyclists will gather at the Wrangler Building in downtown for a Ride of Silence “to honor bicyclists who’ve been killed or injured while cycling on public streets during the past year.” On Friday, Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation will allow anyone who rides their bicycle to a PART station to ride the bus for free. PART buses have a rack that will hold two bicycles. The week culminates with a “Bike Home from Work Celebration” at Old Town Draught House on Spring Garden St. on Friday, from 5 to 9 p.m. No confirmation on complimentary drinks as a reward for showing up on two wheels. — Jordan Green

Guilford educators back Gladys Robinson in state Senate race

The politically formidable Guilford County Association of Educators, which represents 3,300 education professionals, has made its endorsement picks. The endorsements are helpful to Democrats in the general election, and critical to Democrats in the primary.

Gladys Robinson has received association's nod over Evelyn Robinson in the Democratic primary for NC Senate District 28. Association President Tijuana B. Hayes said Miller did not return her questionnaire. Robinson — who is the favored candidate of the seat's current occupant, Katie Dorsett — boasts on her campaign website of endorsements from the State Employees Association of North Carolina, NC Trial Lawyers and Lillian's List.

The Guilford County Association of Educators endorsement slate strongly favors Democratic incumbents or candidates who have previously held office.

Democrats Alma Adams and Earl Jones, who each have contested primaries for state House seats, received the educators' endorsement, as did Pricey Harrison and Maggie Jeffus. The Republican primary victor in NC House District 57 will face Harrison in November, while Jeffus will go toe to toe with Republican Theresa Yon.

"Maggie and Alma are our A+ legislators," Hayes said. "They voted with the educators on issues that we felt were important. They voted for the Healthy Youth Act, the reinstatement of sick leave, the state health plan blue ribbon task force.... One that we're particularly proud of is the School Violence Prevention Act. We appreciate the probationary teachers appeals [legislation]. It assures that our probationary teachers are provided reasons for nonrenewal in their fourth year. Now, they can appeal to the local school board if their contracts are not renewed."

The educators endorsed Georgia Nixon-Roney in the Republican primary for NC House District 61. With no Democrats in the race, the candidate who prevails in the May 4 primary is all but certain to win the seat.

The endorsement for Guilford County School Board at-large went to incumbent Nancy Routh, and the District 2 endorsement went to incumbent Garth Hebert.

The association endorsed Bill Bencini in the Republican primary for Guilford County Commission District 2, but is remaining neutral in the District 3 race. Hayes said none of the three candidates in District 3 returned questionnaires.

The educators are endorsing Democratic incumbent Don Vaughan in the NC Senate District 27 race. Vaughan faces Republican Jeff Hyde in November.

In the Democratic primary for US Senate, the educators threw their clout behind Cal Cunningham, who is considered by many in the party as the most viable contender against Republican incumbent Richard Burr.

Union stands behind its endorsement of Cunningham

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters defended its endorsement of US Senate candidate Cal Cunningham Friday after an April 8 Associated Press report quoted Cunningham as saying he was opposed to card-check legislation.

The Associated Press article reported, “Pressed on whether he would push to allow card check, Cunningham responded: ‘No, no, not the card check.’”

Rob Black, a spokesman for the Teamsters, said the union remains confident in Cunningham’s support for card check legislation, which would allow workers to sign cards petitioning the National Labor Relations Board for a union.

“The Teamsters have endorsed Cal Cunningham not only for his endorsement of the principle of card check but also his job creation plan and his position on fair trade,” Black said. “We look forward to working with him on the employee free choice act and other bills for working families.”

Democratic candidate Ken Lewis’ campaign called upon the union to withdraw its endorsement in light of Cunningham’s statement to the AP.

“It seems clear from the news reports that Cal Cunningham said one thing to the Teamsters behind closed doors and another thing to everyone else outside the room,” said Bruce Clark, Lewis’ campaign manager. “What is worse is that Cal, when caught mid flip-flop, showed us a window into how he would lead in Washington — he wouldn't lead at all.”

Angela Guyadeen, a spokesperson for the Cunningham campaign issued the following statement late Friday:

“Cal is a steadfast supporter for [Employee Free Choice Act] and will work to pass labor reform in the Senate that would protect workers and improve their ability to organize,” Guyadeen said. “Throughout this campaign, Cal Cunningham has demonstrated he will be the strongest advocate for North Carolina workers. He knows that North Carolina families don't need more of the same tired politics, they need someone who will focus on their needs, and that's why he's the only candidate with a real plans to create jobs and protect workers.”

Marshall sounds economic populist notes in Democratic primary

Elaine Marshall (center) appeared at the Guilford County Democratic Party Convention today. (photo by Quentin L. Richardson)

I showed up late for the Guilford County Democratic Party Convention at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Greensboro today, due to a prior commitment to work on a voter education project with my friend, Sharon Hightower.

The interest among Guilford County Democrats this spring is, naturally, on which of the three frontrunners in the party primary for US Senate – Cal Cunningham, or Ken Lewis or Elaine Marshall – should get the nomination. When I arrived, Lewis’ wife Holly had just addressed the group on her husband’s behalf.

An enthusiastic Lewis volunteer from Durham was on the stoop in front of the fellowship hall talking up her candidate. DJ Hardy, a candidate last year for Greensboro City Council last year, was circulating in the assembly wearing a Lewis badge. Those details color my impression that Lewis enjoys a lot of support among Guilford County Democrats.

I missed Cunningham, who spoke around 10:30 a.m. Cunningham, who lives in Lexington and practices law in Winston-Salem, appears to be the favored candidate of President Obama and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. He has also lined up support from Triad Democrats such as NC Rep. Pricey Harrison, Winston-Salem City Councilman Dan Besse and Wayne Abraham, Democratic chair for North Carolina’s 6th Congressional District.

First impression of Elaine Marshall: more energetic, friendly and confident in person than I had gathered from her web presence, photographs and a North Carolina Public Radio profile.

Marshall is the NC secretary of state. She talks about defying the odds by getting elected to state senate from a rural community and disproving predictions that she couldn’t beat Republican Richard Petty “in NASCAR country.”

In her seven-minute speech, Marshall framed the 2008 election of Barack Obama as an uncompleted revolution, and put forward a populist counterweight to the grassroots fervor of Republican calls to repeal healthcare reform.

We voted for change in 2008, and until very recently we haven’t seen much movement in that direction. I got into this race based on where we are as a group of people right now. We’re in the midst of the worst recession any of us have ever experienced. And in the last 30 years the gap between the rich and the poor has grown ever larger and the resolve to do anything about it has grown ever smaller, I’m sorry to say. Today, more than ever, we need people who can be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Today, we need leadership. When people look at Washington, they see one side saying no, the other side just running scared. That’s not leadership. They see votes being taken based on the next election rather than the long-range future of this country. And that’s not leadership. And they have seen special interests write bills behind closed doors that enhance corporate bottom lines at the expense of you and me. And that’s not leadership. When Americans look at Washington they see politicians and corporate interests standing in the way. Whose voice has been left out during all of the discussions the last year to year and a half? It’s been the voice of the ordinary people. Franklin Roosevelt talked about the "forgotten man." Today, we would talk about the voice of the forgotten man and woman – the people who make this country strong, the people who get up every day, go to work, work hard and want America to work for them. They have no stronger desire than to live a good life, educate their children, turn over a world that’s a little bit better than what they had, and to not have to worry about their shrinking dollars, their cost of healthcare, their ability to get healthcare….

Marshall garnered her one major applause line in the middle of her speech with a dig at the Republican incumbent, Richard Burr.

“Senator Burr has said his main campaign theme is going to be to repeal the healthcare bill,” she said. “That’s why we have set up a website called ‘Repeal Richard Burr.’”

The hired talent behind the candidates

We don't have comparable information from Elaine Marshall, but I think it's safe to say that Cal Cunningham has assemble the most high powered senior-level campaign staff of any of the six Democrats vying for Republican Richard Burr's seat in the US Senate.

The 36-year-old Cunningham lists a total of seven separate consultants for six specific functions: Morgan Jackson (Nexus Strategies), senior advisor; John Anzalone (Anzalone Liszt Research), polling; Pete Giangreco (Strategy Group), direct mail; Jen Mueller (Benchmark Strategies), fundraising; Larry Huynh (Trilogy Interactive), new media; Steve Murphy and Mark Putnam (Murphy Putnam Media), television.

Cunningham's campaign manager is Rick Fromberg, whose resume reportedly includes stints as political director for the John Edwards presidential campaign in Nevada and issue campaign director for Wal-Mart Watch. And Cunningham has a treasurer, Loretta Martin, with ties to the NC Association of Educators.

In comparison, Democratic candidate Ken Lewis lists only three consultants: Ken Smuckler, Bon Havely and Tim McKay. His campaign manager is Bruce Clark. Let's just say Lewis' staff members don't jump out quite so dramatically in a Google search.

Incumbent Burr has retained the services of consultant Paul Schumaker.

Triad Elections '10

Cunningham, Etheridge bow out of US Senate race

Cal Cunningham, a Lexington attorney, announced he will not run against US Senator Richard Burr in the 2010 general election.


Cunningham, a former state senator, said he decided, “this is the wrong race at the wrong time for me and my family,” in a Nov. 9 press release.

Elected to the state Senate in 2000 at the age of 27, Cunningham received the Bronze Star while serving overseas as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. A captain and paratrooper in the US Army Reserves, the 35-year-old Cunningham received the medal for “exceptionally meritorious service to the United States” as the senior trial counsel in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Multi-National Corps-Iraq.

He presided over the largest court-martial jurisdiction in the Army and helped in supervising, training and overseeing 27 attorneys and 70 paralegals, executing criminal law missions within the Multi-National Corps-Iraq Theater of Operations.

“I’m sure there will be another day and there are many other ways to serve,” Cunningham said. US Rep. Bob Etheridge, who represents North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District, said he also has decided not to challenge Burr next year. Despite being heavily courted by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Etheridge said he still has much work to do as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Cunningham and Etheridge are among the latest Democratic hopefuls to decline invitations from national party leaders. NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and Chapel Hill attorney Ken Lewis are two announced Democratic candidates who will vie the party’s nomination in 2010.