Yvonne Johnson

More N.C. mayors for Obama

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:40:11 -0400

Barack Obama's campaign has announced only one mayoral endorsement in North Carolina.

More announcements will roll out in the next few weeks, however.

According to a March 11 story in the Durham Herald-Sun, Durham Mayor Bill Bell has taken the lead in persuading other mayors to back Obama.

That's probably in part payback for Obama's endorsement of Bell before the November mayoral race.

Along with Bell and Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson, the story also quotes Bell saying Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker, Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy, Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy, Boone Mayor Loretta Clawson and Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton have endorsed Obama.

"Bell said there are other mayors who have 'committed but not come out publicly yet' for Obama, in towns both large and small," wrote reporter Ray Gronberg.

Greensboro mayor endorses Obama

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:39:53 -0400

Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson officially endorsed Barack Obama.

At a press conference this morning, Johnson announced her backing along with details of a town hall meeting on Wednesday.

"Senator Obama has outlined a broad agenda for change and shown his unique ability to bring people of all backgrounds, beliefs and party affiliations together to make change happen," she said.

The campaign also announced that Obama would appear at 1 p.m. at the War Memorial Auditorium at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. The auditorium seats 2,400.

Doors will open at 11 a.m.

Tickets are available in the Atrium at UNC-Greensboro from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or at the Guilford County Democratic Party headquarters from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Obama skips Greensboro

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 11:09:58 -0400

Barack Obama will skip Greensboro because of security concerns.

Mayor Yvonne Johnson told the Greensboro News-Record that the Democratic presidential candidate had planned on making a stop in the city this week, but canceled because of security concerns.

Officials also looked at N.C. A&T, but the historically black college was booked.

The city's assistant police chief would not discuss the nature of the concerns, and calls to the Secret Service and Obama's headquarters were not returned.

Obama will hold events in Charlotte and Fayetteville on Wednesday.

Update: The Charlotte Observer reports that the events in Charlotte will be two high-dollar fundraisers: A reception for donors who give $2,300 and $1,000, both at a private residence off Wendover Road.