We endorse the Democratic ticket to empower Americans

UNSPLASH

As North Carolina voters head to the polls, The Post is endorsing Democratic candidates up and down the ballot to blunt Republicans who embrace authoritarian tendencies.

North Carolina’s early voting starts this week, and with it a historic opportunity at polling places across the state.

For the first time ever, Black people can put the state – and by extension perhaps the nation – on a sustainable path away from the forces of oppression.

We’re sure you’ve probably heard the narrative that the 2024 presidential election between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is a choice between good and evil, freedom vs. dictatorship or rule of law vs. lawlessness. We’ll frame the choice through a North Carolina lens: candidates who will open the doors of opportunity to all in an increasingly diverse state vs. those pledged to deny all but the most connected an opportunity to thrive.

Traditional conservatism works in a healthy democracy, but it’s been wiped out by proto-fascism built on the triple evils of racism, misogyny and economic bias.

To accomplish what we consider the far more noble goal means electing Democrats across the board. We endorse this path not because Democrats are perfect – far from it – but because they are the best option for the times.

Turning the reins of government over to people pledged to kowtow to and enable Trump is a recipe for exploitation and persecution of all but the privileged few. For Black Americans who know the physical, psychological and economic pain of such attitudes, it’s our chance to hit them where it hurts. We can’t do it alone, but we can lead the charge by voting our interests and holding representatives accountable.

North Carolina, which already has generations of inequality that has left the most vulnerable communities at grave disadvantage in vital areas from criminal justice and education to health care economic mobility.
Erasing those gaps will require people with the political and moral will to do so; Republicans, by their words and deeds since 2008 nationally and 2010 in North Carolina, have shown zero interest in doing right by us.

In previous election cycles, we have endorsed Republicans who pledge a modicum of problem-solving skill and ideas to move society forward to the benefit of all. With the ascent of Trumpism, the GOP has become a mob of toadies and bootlickers who are beholden first, last and always to one man instead of constituents.

Because they lack even the slightest interest in moderation, we can’t in good conscience suggest any support for Republicans on the local, state or national level.

In North Carolina, we have clear choices, starting with the gubernatorial race between Josh Stein and Mark Robinson, an unapologetic Trumpist who should know better than most the struggles Black folks face daily. Instead of acknowledging them and articulating how he would improve their lives, Robinson openly shuns us.

It’s not a stretch to imagine being left behind if Robinson had a veto-proof Republican majority in the General Assembly to do his bidding, or vice versa, a la former GOP Gov. Pat McCrory from 2012-16.

On the other hand, Stein, the incumbent attorney general, proposes greater investment in public education and workforce development by strengthening career and technical education and expanding apprenticeship programs.

As technology continues to advance, states that invest in those areas will be better positioned to keep pace.

We also believe affordable childcare and healthcare are important economic issues because without them, lower-income families can’t start the process of breaking the chains of poverty.

The same goes for Harris, who has articulated plans to rebuild the nation’s shrinking middle class with programs that would improve housing affordability by building new homes and mortgage down payment help. Initiatives that open the door to entrepreneurship and better-paying jobs are part of her economic pledge.  

North Carolina, and the nation, are at a crossroads. We’re reminded of the words of two-time presidential candidate and South Carolina native the Rev. Jesse Jackson that “hands that once picked cotton can now pick presidents.” It’s time for us to do that en masse to vote in our own interests and free ourselves in the process, staring with early voting on Oct. 17.

Our recommendations in the most competitive national, statewide and General Assembly races. (I=incumbent):

U.S. president
Kamala Harris

North Carolina
Governor
Josh Stein

Lieutenant governor
Rachel Hunt

Attorney general
Jeff Jackson

State auditor
Jessica Holmes (I)

Insurance commissioner
Natasha Marcus

Labor commissioner
Braxton Winston

Secretary of State
Elaine Marshall (I)

Supt. of public instruction
Mo Green

State Supreme Court
Allison Riggs (I)

State Court of Appeals
Carolyn Thompson, Ed Eldred and Martin Moore

State Senate
Mujtaba Mohammed (I-District 38), DeAndrea Salvador (I-District 39), Joyce Waddell (I-District 40), Caleb Theodros (District 41) and Woodson Bradley (District 42)

State House of Representatives
Mary Belk (I-District 88); Terry Brown (I-District 92); Beth Helfrich (District 98); Nasif Majeed (I-District 99); Julia Greenfield (District 100); Carolyn Logan (District 101); Becky Carney (I-District 102); Laura Budd (I-District 103); Brandon Lofton (I-District 104); Nicole Sidman (District 105); Carla Cunningham (I-District 106); Alisha Dew (District 107); Jordan Lopez (District 112)

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