Dem Chair Resigns
Party has month to pick new leader; officials react in Wilson, Raleigh

Chris Boykin has resigned his position as chair of the Wilson County Democratic party, bringing to an end this controversial episode within the local party. Boykin sent his letter, dated Monday, to David Young, chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party.

"For over seven years I have faithfully served as chairman of the county party and performed the duties prescribed by the Party Plan of Organization, including those as a member of the State Executive Committee," Boykin said. "It has been my pleasure to work with you in this state capacity."


Young issued a statement to The Wilson Times, "I appreciate the work Chris has done over the past seven years as the Wilson County Democratic Party chairman and thank him for his service."

The issue
This issue began brewing several months ago when some Wilson Democrats said they had heard Boykin did not support the Democratic nominee for sheriff, Calvin Woodard. Instead they complained he supported the unaffiliated sheriff's candidate and former co-worker, John Farmer.

Eventually, Gwen Wilkins, chair of the 1st Congressional District, submitted a written request for Boykin to resign. This was followed by a petition by six Wilson Democrats requesting Boykin be removed from office.

However, Boykin has not publicly said who he supports in the November election. He has not made a public statement on this issue. Boykin did not return phone messages Tuesday seeking comment.

But Boykin did tell Young in his resignation letter he disagrees with the petition sent to the N.C. Democratic Party in Raleigh seeking his removal. "The petition filed with you dated Aug. 6, 2010, contains a number of inaccuracies, including the statement that I served as chairman of the Committee to re-elect Wayne Gay for Sheriff in the recent Democratic primary," Boykin said in the letter. "That is untrue.

I know that the petition will be dismissed upon the receipt of this letter, but I wanted you to know the truth."

What's next
Andrew Whalen, executive director of the N.C. Democratic Party, said now the first vice chair of the Wilson County Democratic Party, Millicent Graves, has 30 days from Boykin's resignation to have a meeting of the executive committee to vote in a new party chair.

Whalen said he doesn't believe Boykin's resignation or getting a new chair three months after the primary is a handicap for Democrats. "The Democratic party is bigger than one man or one woman," Whalen said. "There are Democrats in Wilson that will continue to do that work."

Wilkins, the 1st District chair, said she had hoped the state would not have to step in and resolve this issue in Wilson County. "I am pleased that in the end Mr. Boykin did the right thing for the party and Wilson County and submitted his resignation," Wilkins said. "For that I thank him."

Reaction

Former Gov. Jim Hunt issued a statement following Boykin's resignation. "I know that Chris' resignation was a hard decision for him because he has served as chairman for many years during which the Democratic Party did well in Wilson County. I wish him the best of luck and will continue to appreciate his friendship."

Yolanda Davis, one of six Democrats who sent the petition seeking Boykin's removal and a member of the Wilson Democratic Party Executive Committee, said she thinks the matter should have been resolved quicker. "It's a sad day for Democrats in Wilson County that they allowed such an un-Democratic chair to continue," Davis said. "They should not have allowed this situation to drag on for as long as it did. That says a lot for the leaders in the Democratic Party."

Second vice chair A.P. Coleman said he believes Democrats should have backed Calvin Woodard as the Democratic nominee right away. "If it had been Wayne (Gay) we would have," Coleman said. "We are supposed to support the winning candidate. I don't know Calvin as well as others, but I know he is a good guy."

Coleman said he hopes Democrats can move forward in a positive way. "We've got to do what is in the best interest of the Democratic Party," Coleman said. "We have to make the party stronger, get people registered to vote and serve everybody well." Coleman said Boykin is a good guy. "If I didn't think he was a good guy I wouldn't have served with him so many years," Coleman said.

Wilson County Commission Chairman and Democrat Frank Emory said the party should not dwell on why things took so long. He said sometimes people find themselves in awkward positions, and he supposes that could have happened to Boykin. "Chris is human. He evidently had some personal concerns," Emory said. "I don't know what I would have done if I were in his shoes. But as for timing, I am just glad he decided to do it (resign)."

Emory said now that Boykin has resigned, it clears the way for the party to move forward. "I believe we can have a successful year," Emory said. "I intend to work with the party in doing that."


*Article appeared in the Wilson Times, written by staff reporter Janet Conner-Knox.