I’m a North Carolina Democrat.

Like for so many folks, a good strong public education and programs created by Democrats helped me succeed in life. My public school teachers, my church and my family raised me in rural Richmond County and made me who I am today.

In fact, there hasn’t been a time when politics – the art of the possible – did not mean a great deal to me.

Whether it was in 4th grade conducting a poll of my classmates about the Carter presidential campaign, serving as Teen Dems president in my home county, or engaging in other *grassroots* roles like these:

President, UNC Young Democrats
Vice President, NC Federation of College Democrats
Precinct chair, Mark Creeks 2
Chairman, Richmond County Democratic Party (3 terms)
Chairman, Eighth Congressional District Democratic Party
Delegate, District and State NCDP conventions (1992-2016)
Delegate, 1996 and 2000 Democratic National Conventions
President, Young Democrats of North Carolina (1995-96, 1996-97)
Chairman, NCDP Rules Committee
Chairman, NCDP Platform and Resolutions Committee
Member, NCDP State Executive Committee

… I have served our Party at all levels … I know how our NC Democratic Party works … and how it can work better.

I’ve also been blessed to serve in elected office as a Democrat:

State Representative, NC General Assembly (4 terms)
NC Insurance Commissioner (2 terms)
Member, Council of State (8 years)

Through my service as an elected official, I’m someone who has not only fought to implement policies we Democrats believe in but someone who has done the challenging work of organizing and campaigning precinct by precinct, county by county, and across North Carolina.

In 2016, through the hard work of everyone in the SEC, North Carolina elected our candidate for Governor: Roy Cooper.

And even though we won fair and square, Republicans in the legislature have taken every opportunity to squelch the will and the votes of our people, and have tried restricting and restraining our Governor and our Democratic Party, a party that represents more North Carolinians than any other. We’re entering a cycle where Republicans for the time control the Legislative Branch and have a majority on the Council of State, but have a Democrat as Governor.

Meantime, in their infinite wisdom, the federal courts themselves have recognized the unconstitutional nature of the Republicans' racially gerrymandered Legislative maps, ordering new maps and elections in 2017. This presents an unforeseen opportunity for us Democrats to reclaim some of those seats in the Legislature in less than a year, and we need to take advantage of that opportunity and hit the ground running.

We are in a unique time.

In fact, now is the time for the NC Democratic Party to elect a chairman who is seasoned in the grassroots needs and operational and organizational components of our Party.

Now is the time for us to elect a chairman who can – and will – unify our State Executive Committee and help us address vital structural, fundraising, and messaging needs.

Now is the time for us to implement a 100-county strategy, helping us win and organize from the grassroots up and using every modern technological tool we can to keep our message and our mission united.

Now is the time for us to elect a chairman who has a long-standing working relationship with our auxiliary organizations.

Now is the time for us to elect a chairman who understands the needs of our Democratic legislators, justices, judges, and local officials.

Now is the time for us to elect a chairman who can – and will – go toe to toe with Republican Party counterparts, and be a strong, respected voice for our Party.

Now is the time for us to elect a chairman who Governor Roy Cooper can count on every day to have his back, to have your back and to represent our Party.

We need a fighter you trust will go to battle every day.

I am running for NCDP Chairman because of my pledge to do *all the above* and focus on our mission: Supporting our Democratic Governor and electing Democrats up and down the ticket, all across our State. For if we do not do these things and more, then we cannot shape public policy and help move our fellow citizens, our families and our State forward. The North Carolina we know and love needs us to succeed. Every county party counts on a strong state Chair and a solid State Party organization. I need your support in this race for State Party Chair and ask for your vote as the February 11th election and SEC meeting approaches.

Meanwhile, in a few days you will receive further details on why I'm running and how you can become part of this team. Further, I will continue my personal direct calls and messages to each of you, and ask for your suggestions, counsel, and feedback.

Working together, we will meet these unique times head-on and we will win.

* * * * * *

In addition to here and on Facebook, contact me ...
... by email: wayne@waynegoodwin.org
… by phone: (910) 997-1301
… by Twitter: @WayneGoodwinNC

***The above message was sent to all members of the NCDP State Executive Committee***