The Daily News (Jacksonville, NC) has an interesting article detailing the lack of interest in running for the North Carolina Legislature. Their reasons for half of the races for the legislature only having one candidate are: time commitment, small pay, gerrymandered districts, and the expense of modern campaigns.
Regardless of the reasons, it is a shame that 50% of the races are unopposed (we have a list of races with only one candidate here). If we are going to get any traction for progressive reforms in the legislature we need new blood and heated campaigns to get the ideas off the ground. As we move through this campaign cycle, I am starting a challenge to get our readers interested in advancing progressive causes to find out who is running in your district, and if there is no Democrat, consider running yourself. Much like the successful effort to get Democrats running in each of the 13 Congressional districts in the this, we should have a progressive on the ballot in each race for the North Carolina Legislature in '08.
Comments
Targator, add the expensive campaigns
.....and gerrymandered districts to low pay and time away from family and it's easy to understand why running doesn't appeal to anyone but the most dedicated.
While it's too late to file this year, I think it's a great idea to do this. There is some prediction of a Dem flood in '08. That's the time to have Democrats in place in these districts. Why miss out on an opportunity like that? Great idea.
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Interest is geared more to Federal this year
I think this year, people are absolutely so fed up with the Federal goverment, that this is where most progressives are going to concentrate their angst.
The state legislature, while having tons of room for improvement, is in no way as bad shape as the US Congress. It could definitely be more progressive, true. But, knowing this state as I do, I realize it could definitely be much worse!
True, but we can't let the state
get in the hands of the Republicans. Too many crucial decisions are made on the state level.
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.