PA-PAC Election NewsDecember 20, 2011

We have just concluded a stellar year for PA-PAC. Thanks to a fortuitous series of events, we succeeded in electing progressive council members, and assisting in the re-election of Mayor Bill Bell. We want to thank Mayor Bell and council members Diane Catotti, Steve Schewel, and Eugene Brown for their willingness to serve the citizens of Durham. We are now looking forward to an exciting but complicated election year in 2012.
Next year looks to be complicated for a number of reasons. The conspicuously flawed Republican redistricting (with not only its cracking, stacking and packing but the division of an incredible number of precincts) promises much mischief and confusion, and the lawsuits concerning it only add to the uncertainty. It is possible (but unlikely as of this writing) that the primary, which is scheduled for May 8, could be delayed.
The most remarkable thing about the May election is a Constitutional Amendment so egregious that the Republicans who adopted it are now running away from it. We could be positioned to be the only southern state to drive a stake through the heart of this intolerance. The text of the measure reads: “Constitutional amendment to provide that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.” Legal scholars agree that this language goes far beyond the stated intent to “ban gay marriage”. If adopted, this bigoted amendment could potentially invalidate all same-sex domestic partner relationships and even impact domestic violence protection for unmarried couples, child custody and visitation, end-of-life directives, and domestic partnership benefits for public employees.
If you are an “unaffiliated” voter, you may have to decide between voting in a heavily contested Republican Presidential Primary (echoing the decisive role Durham and North Carolina unexpectedly played in the 2008 Democratic Primary); and an equally contested primary among incumbents and challengers for the five seats on the Board of Commissioners. Dissatisfaction among some voters with the performance of the current board means that there will be several challengers; and if Pam Karriker upholds her pledge not to run for a full term, there will be an open seat, creating a free-for-all in this contest.
New leadership for the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People means that the PA-PAC may have a more dynamic relationship with this venerable organization. We salute Dr. Lavonia Allison for her dedication and past leadership, and look forward to getting to know the new members of the leadership, including Reverend Philip Cousins.
Durham County is now part of four congressional districts, not only one. We will be closely watching the filing for these seats. In addition, there is a new Senate District 22 which lacks an incumbent. Some candidates are making their intentions known.
In the realm of more-or-less wild speculation, it is possible that we will witness yet another special election for Durham District Attorney. This would mean that we would have had elections every two years (2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012) for an office that ostensibly has a four year term!
Do stay tuned, and keep your powder dry. Be prepared to support the candidate(s) of your choice with your money, your emotional support, and your time and energy. You can make a difference! And do not forget to write a generous check to PA-PAC for 2012, it may be a bumpy ride!