Tag search result

The governor has selected an appellate court judge for the opening on the state Supreme Court. Judge Cheri Beasley has a lot in common with the justice she will replace.

A panel of lawmakers tackled an unanticipated loophole that prevented employees from finding out if their employer carries the right worker compensation insurance.

Embattled Democratic Party chairman David Parker announces he'll step down.

Gov. Bev Perdue is reacting to the about-fact at the N.C. Democratic Party on Saturday after Chairman David Parker resigned but then triumphantly reclaimed his post.

Perdue essentially puts the mess in Democratic gubernatorial nominee Walter Dalton's lap now. “I’m focused on investing in education and passing my other budget priorities," she said in a statement. "Walter Dalton is the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, and I’ll support him in however he wants to handle the matter."

President Barack Obama's campaign has not yet responded to Parker's reign.

The North Carolina governor’s race between Democrat Walter Dalton and Republican Pat McCrory is likely to be a money magnet for outside groups who see it as the GOP’s best chance to pick up a governorship this year.

Both national parties, conservative super PACs, anti-tax groups and labor unions are likely to pour money into North Carolina, the largest state holding a governor’s race in 2012. Some campaign strategists estimate at least $20 million will be spent between now and November. Read the full analysis of the race here.

More political headlines:

--Scandal-stained David Parker burst from behind the curtain, strutting on stage to reclaim the chairmanship of the troubled N.C. Democratic Party in grand fashion Saturday with some saying the wizard orchestrated the dramatic party convention to his favor. To get a glimpse of how the event hurts Democrats broadly, take a look at this headline.

--In his column, Rob Christensen discusses how religion courses through the state's politics, helping to explain Tuesday's vote on the constitutional marriage amendment.

The TV satellite trucks are no longer stationary outside the N.C. Democratic Party headquarters on Hillsborough Street. But many questions surrounding the sexual harassment claims that crippled the party still remain unanswered. Here's a few storylines left in my notebook:

1. The money. The cost of the settlement with the former Democratic Party staffer who alleged sexual harassment and the source of the money is still unknown. But here's a more interesting point that went underreported: At the press conference, when I asked Chairman David Parker the source of the payout he said this: "I do not know. I leave that up the lawyer." So attorney John Wallace is authorized to spend party money and select its source as he sees fit? 

Try, try, try as it might, the Republican National Committee wants to tie President Barack Obama to the sexual harassment scandal at the state Democratic Party.

Using TV reports from last week -- and giving ABC 11's Jon Camp a lot of love -- the RNC released a Web video Tuesday. The kicker: "Mr. President, we have some questions..." But Republicans shouldn't hold their breath waiting for an answer.

In this column, Rob Christensen explores the undercurrents fueling the state Democratic Party scandal. No. 1: The current train crash at Democratic Headquarters on Hillsborough Street has been made worse by the disconnect between the governor and the party. No 2: Part of being a battleground state is that North Carolina is now hard-wired into Washington, D.C., politics – which means it is hard ball and fast. Any allegation of misconduct becomes fodder for the opposition, which can be counted upon to do it’s best to make a photograph of a penis into Weinergate. Read the full column here.

In other weekend headlines:

--Here's a primer for the John Edwards trial, which is scheduled to start Monday with all the trappings of a Greek drama.

--The Democratic candidates courted black voters Saturday in a Durham forum. The reliable Democratic voting bloc could help determine the May 8 primary outcome.

--At the same time, black voters are splitting with Democrats on the marriage amendment -- and helping to boost polling numbers showing the constitutional ban on gay marriage and civil unions is likely to pass next month. Read more from The Charlotte Observer here.

The Democratic gubernatorial candidates sharpened their criticisms Tuesday night, drawing more pointed contrasts with each other’s records in the second in a series of televised debates. 

Former U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge heard his congressional record on trade and his tenure as superintendent of public instruction come under fire. Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton found himself defending his attendance record and his advocacy of Democratic causes in the legislature. Read the story here. And get the pundits' take on the debate.

Other headlines:

-- The calls for Democratic Party chairman David Parker to resign snowballed Tuesday, leaving his tenure short on days. Gov. Bev Perdue, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton and former Congressman Bob Etheridge all reversed course to call for his ouster after trying to avoid the controversy for days.

The Charlotte Observer is calling it the "April Surprise" and the paper's cartoonist gets in his take on the candidates' reactions to scandal.

Gov. Bev Perdue's statement -- issued hours after she refused to comment on Party Chairman David Parker. (See blog posts below.)

"I have spoken with David Parker several times today and told him that he had lost the confidence of Democratic leaders, and I asked him to step aside for the good of the Party. I told him that the Party had to get back to focusing on our core values: strengthening schools, creating jobs and expanding opportunities for all North Carolinians.

"When my team first heard of the personnel matter at the State Party late last year, they promptly relayed these rumors to the party officials responsible for handling personnel matters -- the Chairman and the party’s legal counsel, who were already aware of the issue. 

"The Democratic Party will continue to fight for the things that matter to working families across North Carolina: strong schools for their children, access to careers or college and good jobs."

Gov. Bev Perdue -- the de facto head of the state Democratic Party -- spoke to reporters after a luncheon Tuesday in Raleigh and continued her refusal to comment on the controversy at party headquarters that led to the resignation of Executive Director Jay Parmley. She called it a personnel matter -- and didn't respond to questions about whether she knew about the scandal months ago and didn't do anything about it. At one point, upon repeated questioning, she tells a reporter to: "Get over it." (One minute into video.)

(Meanwhile, other top N.C. Democrats are calling for Party Chairman David Parker to resign. Perdue did not sign the letter.)

The state Democratic Party is facing serious questions about a secret settlement agreement with a former staffer who was fired after raising concerns about being harassed by a superior, according to documents and interviews.

A member of the party’s executive committee, Watt Jones, sent a complaint to Party Chairman David Parker in March asking about the allegations and financial settlement with the former employee, urging him to “clean up this mess before it gets worse.” 

“If this hits the media, the Democratic Party, our candidates and our credibility are doomed in this election,” wrote Jones, according to a copy of the email titled "confidential" obtained by The News & Observer.