Party leaders weigh in Gov. Hunt: Democrats are strong, resignation expected
Before heading off to the state Democratic Party Convention this weekend, an icon in the Wilson County Democratic Party, former Gov. Jim Hunt, said the party is sound and in good shape from Wilson County, to the state and all the way to Washington.
Hunt made his comments one day after Gwen Wilkins, chairwoman of the 1st Congressional District of the N.C. Democratic Party, asked Wilson County Democratic Chair Chris Boykin to resign. Wilkins cited lack of support for Wilson's Democratic nominee for sheriff, Calvin Woodard.
Hunt, North Carolina's paragon Democrat, said the Wilson chapter has a temporary situation, but it will be resolved in two to three weeks. "The chair, Chris Boykin, is a good man," Hunt said. "He is supporting the other candidate and is expected to resign."
The other candidate is John Farmer, who registered unaffiliated following the May primary when Woodard defeated longtime incumbent Democrat Wayne Gay. Farmer recently retired from the sheriff's office as major.
The Democratic party chair has to officially support the candidate of the party, according to party rules.
Boykin, a major in the sheriff's office, has not publicly said who he supports, and has not returned phone calls made to him either Thursday or Friday seeking comment. There is talk of a new party chair for Wilson soon, Hunt said.
The Democratic Party will come out strong for all candidates of the Democratic Party, Hunt said. He expects Democrats to win in the general election, including the Wilson County sheriff's race. "Calvin Woodard is highly qualified, he's personable and appealing," Hunt said.
On Thursday, Farmer said "no matter which party you belong to, you can vote for who you feel is the most qualified candidate."
NO VACANCIES: Andrew Whalen, executive director of the North Carolina Democratic Party, agrees the Wilson County party is intact, but having some "internal issues they are working to resolve."
Whalen, who is attending the N.C. Democratic Party State Convention in Fayetteville this weekend, said when he left for the convention Friday afternoon, he'd not heard there are any vacancies in the Wilson Democratic party. Whalen said when there is a "difficulty," they try to allow the local group to work to fix the problem without butting in. There is a process the local party has to work within, he said.
Chairwoman Wilkins, in an interview on Thursday night, said she knows Chris Hardee, chair of the 3rd Congressional District, sent an e-mail to Boykin, although she doesn't know the specific contents of the message. Hardee declined comment Thursday when contacted by The Times.
Wilkins believes Woodard should have the support of the Democratic Party. "I don't see the Democratic Party falling apart. I see a Democratic candidate that needs the Democratic Party's assistance and should have it," Wilkins said. "That is why I stepped in. That is why I will do whatever I can to make sure our Democratic candidate has the full support of the state Democratic Party, the district Democratic Party and the county Democratic Party."
Should Boykin step down as chair, Wilkins said, it would be left up to the first vice chair, local attorney Millicent Graves, to call a meeting of the executive board. The board would nominate and elect a new chair.
That newly elected chair can be any Democrat registered in Wilson County. Wilkins said that is a 30-day process.
THE PROCESS: If Boykin chooses not to resign, any three registered Democrats in Wilson County can sign a letter to David Young, the state party chair, with whatever justification those people are claiming. The state Democratic chairman will then call his officers together to see if there are grounds to take the matter further to the Council of Review. He would only have 10 days to call the officers together. The officers have 10 days to contact the Council of Review.
Boykin would then have his chance to give his side to the council of review. The three people who signed the letter will then give their point-of-view. The final decision rests with the Council of Review. Wilkins said the Council of Review is made up of one person from each congressional district across the state. Wilkins said she hopes this process doesn't have to take place.
"I would prefer he just do the right thing," Wilkins said. "If he (Boykin) wants to support his candidate, let him resign and support his candidate. And let the Democratic party of Wilson County support their candidate."
Wilkins came to meet with Woodard Thursday evening in his new campaign headquarters at 3351 Ward Blvd. across from Wilson Woods apartments. She presented him with a $250 check from the 1st Congressional District.
*Photo courtesy of SAS.
*This article was written by Janet Conner-Knox, staff writer Wilson Times
*No intentional disrespect is intended in this blog post towards Mr. Hunt. His community service, committment to this county and its citizens is well documented and his accomplished record speaks for itself.
2 comments:
wonderful comments from the king of political patronage and mentor to all the corrupt democratic crooks we have locally and in raleigh and washinton today. none other than our own James B Hunt JR the master of loading down state boards and agencies with political cronies and their friends and families , many of whom used their political appointments for personal,political and financial gain leading to all the corruption at dot, dmv, the highway patrol and just about any other state agency he could load up with partisan political operatives and benefactors
Somebody that knows Jim Hunt need to tell him he needs to be at Applebees tomorrow to support Calvin. Talk is cheap he needs to prove it!
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