I haven't had much chance to slow down on the campaign trail since my last Campaign Journal report. Beginning Saturday, June 23, I made tracks for the coast, speaking and meeting with Carteret County Democrats at Newport Middle School. (Hey Buck, that is some great barbeque chicken you do!) Then it was back to Durham on June 24 for a meet-and-greet at the home of my friends Joan and Doug. (Thanks for a great turnout of thinking people. I enjoyed addressing challenging questions on mental health care, education, and environmental stewardship.) Read More »

I'm very pleased to report on another positive change we've just made in Winston-Salem. On June 18, our City Council (on my motion) approved adding sexual orientation to the list of factors in our city personnel policies on which discrimination in prohibited. It has actually been the practice of our city government for some time not to discriminate on this basis. However, placing that prohibition in our written personnel policies underscores our commitment to fair treatment and equal opportunity, and should act to reassure all potentially affected individuals.

There's no better time than the week of Independence Day to recognize progress toward energy independence for our nation. When we take the right steps to control climate change, we promote both goals. Read More »

Since my last Campaign Journal report, I've been back on the road from east to west. Read More »

I've signed up as one of the sponsors of the second annual Sanford-Hunt dinner, being held this Saturday (August 25) in Greensboro, following the meeting of the Democratic State Executive Committee. Named in honor of two of the North Carolina Democratic Party's modern heroes, this event is one of our state party's most important fundraising events. It's also a good chance for Democrats to meet and get "fired up" for the coming 2008 campaigns. Tickets are only $30, but they sold out last year, and will again this time. If you can join us, go to the state Democratic website, www.ncdp.org, for full details and to reserve your place.

Last Friday night, the Bush Administration announced new restrictions on federal funding, designed to make it harder for states to expand health care coverage for uninsured children. Read More »

June 30 was a key deadline in this election campaign cycle, the last day of the mid-year campaign finance reporting period. Money in the campaign account as of that date represents the number which reporters and pundits will refer to for the next six months in evaluating which campaigns are competitive. Read More »

Saturday, September 8, was one of those full days on the road. The day started with the Senior Democrats of North Carolina state convention in Salisbury. I went from there to Charlotte, to canvass door-to-door with the Young Democrats on behalf of Democratic candidates in the Charlotte city elections. That's always interesting—working with young Democrats from around our state, and meeting the people in new neighborhoods in the process. Read More »

Our early fall "campaign season" is well underway. This week, I have a special request for help, and my latest Road Report: --We're getting organized! --Road Report: Senior Dems in Salisbury, Young Dems in Charlotte, Welcome Home in Winston-Salem, Barbeque in Davie, Equality in Durham, and Unity in Guilford. Read More »

Saturday, August 25, was a big day for the Democratic party in North Carolina. The second annual Sanford-Hunt Dinner, held in Greensboro this year, was a roaring success. Between the sponsors (like me) and an overflowing crowd, it was officially the biggest fundraising event for the N.C. Democratic Party (outshining even the long-standing traditional Jefferson-Jackson and Vance-Aycock events). Congratulations go to NCDP Chair Jerry Meek and our hardworking state staff. Read More »