N.C. Democratic legislative leaders are asking for money to help challenge the GOP-drawn redistricting maps in court.
The solicitation sent Thursday from former House Speaker Joe Hackney and Senate Democratic leader Martin Nesbitt is titled "Can you help us stop the GOP's gerrymandering?"
The effort is being coordinated through a secretive political nonprofit called The Democracy Project. As a 501(c)4 group under tax law, it can raise and spend unlimited money without disclosing its donors. Democratic strategist Scott Falmlen, a former executive director at the state party, is the director of the group, state records show.
"We need your help now to have the resources to be heard in court," the email proclaims. "Carrying this fight to the courts is an expensive proposition, but critical for the future of our state."
The message goes further to lay out the Democrats claims about the new political boundaries drawn by the Republican-dominated state legislature, noting the split precincts and consolidation of black voters in certain districts.
