Tom Taft

State pols endorse Clinton

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:40:08 -0400

Hillary Clinton released a list of state politicians who have endorsed her.

The list of 60 names includes former U.S. Sen. Robert Morgan, state Sens. Dan Clodfelter and Julia Boseman, state Reps. Susan Fisher and Ronnie Sutton and Mecklenburg County Commissioners Parks Helms and Jennifer Roberts.

"Hillary is the most qualified person for the job — she is a doer and a fighter,” said Julia Boseman in a statement. "I am impressed by her plans to bring health care to all Americans, lower gas prices, and create renewable energy solutions."

It also includes former state Reps. Steve Dolley, Jim Morgan, Max Melton, and Tom Rabon; and former state Sens. Allen Wellons, Frank Block, Tom Taft, Aaron Plyler and Russell Walker.

County commissioners on the list: Gary Barber of Ashe County; Wade Nelms of Carteret County; Gene Gregory of Currituck County; Kay Cashion of Guilford County; Mike Nelson of Orange County; Charles Ward of Perquimans County; Eugene James and Beth Ward of Pitt County; Tommy Melton of Polk County; Roger Oxendine of Robeson County; John Bell, Atlas Price and Roland "Bud" Gray of Wayne County; Tommy Garner of Yadkin County; and Lindy Brown and Betty Lou Ward of Wake County.

Also on the list: Elon Mayor Jerry Tolley, Roanoke Rapids Mayor D.N. Beale, Princeton Mayor Donald Rains, Ayden Mayor Stephen Tripp, Grimesland Mayor Gerald Whitley, Mount Olive Mayor Ray McDonald Sr. and Yadkinville Mayor Hubert Gregory.

Clinton names N.C. steering committee

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:07:48 -0400

Hillary Clinton's campaign released the names of its North Carolina steering committee, ranging from poet Maya Angelou to Hugh Shelton, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The list was announced at a teleconference held by Tom Hendrickson, a former state Democratic chariman; former Ambassador Jeanette Hyde, and the Rev. Brenda Stevenson of Charlotte.

"I know Hillary has the diplomatic skills," said Hyde, who was appointed ambassador to Barbados by President Clinton. "She has the knowledge. She has traveled around the world. I beleive she can help mend some of the problems we have in the world."

The endorsements include many people long associated with the moderate, pro-business wing of the state Democratic Party and with Govs. Jim Hunt and Terry Sanford.

Clarification: Hunt is not on the steering committee, but some of his associates are.

More names after the jump.

Eight figures?

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:25:08 -0400

John Edwards is bringing in the big guns for one last push before the second quarter ends.

The former North Carolina senator is calling together some of his biggest supporters, including former Gov. Jim Hunt, Raleigh attorney David Kirby and former UNC-Chapel Hill basketball coach Dean Smith, for one final push to raise money, Rob Christensen reports.

Edwards has scheduled a high dollar fund raiser for Saturday, June 30, at the home of Steve and Louise Coggins, neighbors of his summer homat on Figure 8 Island. The event will cost $2,300 for hosts, $1,000 for sponsors and $500 for patrons.

His campaign raised $14 million in the first quarter, but reportedly may have trouble matching that figure for the second quarter as it seeks to stay competitive with New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

A list of the major attendees after the jump.