2010 PAC Endorsements

PA-PAC 2010 Endorsements
[a PDF of this information can be downloaded, here.]

U. S. Senate – Elaine Marshall has a deep commitment to public service with a solid record of accomplishment as North Carolina’s Secretary of State. She has promoted genuine legal and economic equality for women through her involvement with the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys almost from its inception. She has taken a stand against a long-term,costly, and expensive U. S. occupation of Afghanistan. She is a hard worker, and has transformed the Secretary of State’s office into a user-friendly and technologically advanced operation. She is a practical progressive who has successfully run several state-wide campaigns, and has the organization needed to beat the radical, “Rush-is-Right” Richard Burr. [a June 22 run-off between Marshall and Cunningham has been called for.]  http://www.elainemarshall.com/

U. S. House or Representatives – Rep. David Price (Dem, District 4)

N.C Senate: Sen Bob Atwater (Dem, District 18), Sen. Floyd McKissick(Dem, District 20)

N.C. House: Rep. Larry Hall (Dem, District 29), Rep. Paul Luebke (Dem, District 30), and Rep. H. M. “Mickey” Michaux (Dem, District 31), Rep W. A. “Winkie” Wilkins (Dem, District 55)

Sheriff – Worth Hill (Dem) has provided solid law enforcement and management experience to obtain accreditation and make the Durham County Sheriff’s Office one of the finest Sheriff’s Offices in the State. Under his tenure, there have been continual improvements made in operations and numerous programs have been implemented to serve the varied needs of Durham citizens. Sheriff Hill continues to display a strong passion for community involvement, particularly for the needs of young people. He brings an abiding commitment to the safety of Durham citizens, and a culture of courtesy in the sheriff’s department. http://sheriffworthhill.org/

District Attorney – Tracey Cline (Dem)

Clerk of Court – Archie Smith (Dem)

N. C. Supreme Court – Robert C. “Bob” Hunterhttp://www.judgebobhunter.org/

N.C. Court of Appeals –

Geer Seat – Martha Geer

Calabria Seat – Jane Gray has had a 30-year career which includes service in the N.C. Attorney General’s Office handling public advocacy matters in the courts and in the general assembly. She then worked in the General Assembly and has served as a judge on the district court bench in Wake County. We like the fact that her broad experience has been developed entirely in public service. She shares PA’s concern that the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent Citizens United decision will diminish the voting power of ordinary citizens by opening the floodgates of corporate election spending. As a judge, Jane Gray has proven herself to be competent and diligent, and has earned a reputation for fairness and hard work. She is noted for her patience and genuine concern for the rights of the defendants and litigants who appear before her. We are confident that she will serve the people of North Carolina well at the appellate level.http://www.judgejanegray.com/

Elmore Seat – PA will need to make a new endorsement in this contest. Details to follow.

Steelman Seat – NO ENDORSEMENT

Superior Court 14B – P.A. PAC endorsed Elaine Bushfan, Jim Hardin and Michael O’Foghludha [the top three vote getters will be elected] http://mikeoforjudge.com/

District Court, McKown Seat – PA will need to make a new endorsement in this contest. Details to follow.

District Court, Bushfan Seat - Pat Evans has deep roots in the Durham Community, and has practiced Law here for over 25 years. She was a no-nonsense prosecutor when she worked for the Durham District Attorney’s Office, and 1n 1994 was the first Black female to run for District Attorney in North Carolina. She currently practices criminal law in District and Superior Court. In addition, Pat handles civil matters and represents clients before state administrative and professional boards. Her community involvement, including tutoring at-risk youths, serving as a judge for Teen Court, and leading AIDS Care Team ministries with her church, reflect her values. http://patevans.org/

Durham School Board

Over the past four years, the Durham School Board has achieved a number of significant accomplishments. The incumbent board members are the first to put the divisions of the merger of city and county schools in the early 1990s behind them and to truly work together for every child in every school. They also rescued the board from years of racially motivated rancor and chaos, and their ability to cooperate across racial lines has meant that their attention is on education rather than board politics.

The current board has taken notable initiatives to reduce suspensions and the drop-out rate, improve reading instruction, strengthen the leadership of low-performing schools, involve parents and the community in discussions of major issues and challenges, create several strong options for students who cannot cope well with large high schools, enhance the ability of teachers to have useful data about individual students’ achievement, improve the nutritional offerings for our students, and rally community and business support. Durham’s schools face the challenge of educating an enormous number of poor children. Now that the board has brought stability and forward momentum to the system, it’s time for board members–along with the superintendent the board is about to hire–to focus on empowering teachers and principals to do their best work so that these children can receive the education they need and deserve. As a result of this record, endorse the three incumbents and one newcomer.

School Board Endorsements – you may vote in only one of these contests:

District One (A): Omega Curtis Parker – elected

District Two (A): Pastor Fredrick Davis – elected  http://davisdps2.org/

District Three (B): Nancy Cox – elected  http://nancycox.webs.com/

District Four (B): Steve Martin is currently the longest serving member of the school board. He has an understanding of the school budget that the board needs especially in these difficult budgetary times. His institutional memory is a valuable asset. Martin has also proven himself to be a good negotiator with his fellow board members. During his time on the board, the focus on student achievement has been strengthened. Martin applauds the board’s improved responsiveness to parents, and will maintain this. [a June 22 run-off between Steve Martin and Natalie Beyer has been caleld for in District 4B]

 

 

We would like to thank ALL the candidates who are running for office. We especially want to thank all those who participated in PA’s questionnaire and interview process. Their thoughtful answers to our questions and passion for public service are to be commended.