Luke Hyde

Dem chair candidates on conference calls

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:31:23 -0500

Candidates for state Democratic Party chair will be interviewed starting tonight.

The Young Democrats of North Carolina will host three statewide conference calls with the candidates to allow state executive board members, young Democrats and others to hear from them.

District Chairman Luke Hyde will be on a call at 8 p.m. Former Buncombe County Commissioner David Young will be on at 8:40 p.m.

And state vice chairwoman Dannie Montgomery will be on at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

For information on the calls, e-mail president@ydnc.org.

The state Democratic Executive Committee will meet in Raleigh Saturday to decide on the replacement for outgoing chairman Jerry Meek.

Young running for Democratic state chair

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:13:43 -0500

David Young is running for state Democratic Party chair — and he's got some strong backers.

The former Buncombe County commissioner announced the support of outgoing state chair Jerry Meek, Gov. Beverly Perdue, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, state Treasurer Janet Cowell and U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell, among others.

In an e-mail to Democrats sent today, Young said he would strengthen county parties, focus on all 100 counties, maintain staff diversity, continue technological advancement and boost fundraising.

"As a self-employed entrepreneur, I have the ability to commit the time necessary to do the job. I will be in Raleigh — and all over the state — to ensure that the job is done right," he wrote.

After an unsuccessful run for the Democratic nomination for state treasurer last spring, Young started a boutique firm offering local government consulting.

The party's executive committee will meet the Saturday after next to decide on the new chair.

District chairman Luke Hyde and vice chair Dannie Montgomery.

Update: Statesville attorney David Parker said he is no longer running for chair after having a "long, pleasant conversation with the governor" and learning of Young's candidacy.

Second Update: Hyde said he's still in the running, though he had earlier said he would not run if Perdue had a favorite.

"I made a commitment to a number of people in the party," he said. "I'm aware now that Mr. Young has several prominent and good supporters, but my word is more important to me than winning or losing."

Third Update: Young has also launched a Web site: www.davidyoungforstatechair.com.

The site was registered on Wednesday.

Fourth Update: Former Senate candidate Jim Neal has announced that he is no longer running.

In a press release, he said it was "an extremely difficult decision" based on the fact that he could not work full time in the job.

He also said that he made the decision while attending the inaugural festivities in Washington. The release does not mention Young's candidacy.

Fifth Update: Montgomery confirmed that she is still running.

"I am in it — to — win it!!!" she wrote in an e-mail to Dome. "It didn't take me two weeks before the election to decide that I want to get up every morning going to work for the NCDP leading us into the future."

Perdue not taking sides in chair fight?

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:12:55 -0500

Will Gov. Beverly Perdue remain neutral?

The race for the next head of the state Democratic Party is heating up, but for now it appears that the highest-ranking state Democrat will remain on the sidelines.

Luke Hyde, a district chairman who is running for the job, said that a friend spoke to Perdue's staff before he decided to run.

"I asked an emissary to go see the governor for me and ask if she had a preference for state chair. I said I am a team player and if the governor has somebody in mind, I will not oppose her," he said.

His friend came back and said Perdue would stay neutral.

"I have not heard anything to the contrary since," Hyde said.

So far, Hyde faces vice chair Dannie Montgomery, Statesville attorney David Parker and former Senate candidate Jim Neal in the race. Another candidate who was supposed to announce last weekend has not returned a call from a reporter all week.

Meantime, Parker said that he heard yet another candidate may announce.

Update: Former Wake County commissioner Jack Nichols said he is running for county party chairman, but he has been asked by some people if he would run for state chairman.

"Quite frankly, it really depends on what the governor does," he said.

Previously: Richard Sullivan confirms he's not running.

Sullivan not running

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:50:53 -0500

Richard Sullivan says he's not running.

The Democrat fundraiser had contemplated a campaign for state Democratic Party chairman, but he told Dome Tuesday that he had decided against it.

"I just decided that because of current business interests and small children at home that I couldn't do it in a full-time capacity," he said. "I may serve in another capacity."

That leaves 11th District chairman Luke Hyde, vice chair Dannie Montgomery, attorney David Parker and former Senate candidate Jim Neal in the race.

Sullivan rose in politics as a key fund raiser for Rep. Dick Gephardt and then for Bill and Hillary Clinton. He estimated that he raised a half billion dollars for Democratic candidates and causes.

The state Democratic Executive Committee will meet in Raleigh on Jan. 31 to select among the candidates.

The winner will replace outgoing chairman Jerry Meek.

Another contender for state party chair

janestancill — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:55:22 -0500

Luke Hyde, the 11th district Democratic chairman, is campaigning to suceed Jerry Meek as state party chair.

Hyde, who owns a B&B in Bryson City while practicing law part-time in Raleigh, has been moving around the state seeking support, reports Rob Christensen.

He is touting the Democrat’s success in the mountains, where Democratic Congressman Heath Shuler now holds what had been a Republican seat, as well as other Democratic inroads.

Hyde said if elected he would continue the party’s grassroots emphasis.

"I am a big fan of Jerry,” Hyde said. “He has been an excellent chairman.”

Hyde is the brother of the late Herbert Hyde, a former state party chairman and a well-known state senator. He is married to Leila Tvedt, a former WRAL TV reporter and former executive director of the Agency for Public Television who is now a vice chancellor at Western Carolina University.

The state Democratic Executive Committee meets in Raleigh on January 31 to select a new chairman. Among those consideirng running are Dannie Montgomery of Anson County, the party’s first vice chair; David Parker of Statesville, a Democratic National Committeman; Richard Sullivan of Raleigh, a former national party finance director, and former U.S. Senate candidate Jim Neal.

Neal mulling run for party chair

bkrueger — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:38:58 -0500

Former Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jim Neal is giving some thought to running for state Democratic Party chairman.

Neal, a Chapel Hill businessman, said he had initially rejected the idea when he was approached last summer. But he said he has received much more encouragement in recent days, reports Rob Christensen.

“I have told people I will consider it,” Neal said. “I want to talk to some more people. I want to make sure there is widespread support for the notion. I think it could be fun and a real challenge. It’s something I’d have to make up my mind real quickly.”

The state Democratic Executive Committee is scheduled to meet Jan. 31 in Raleigh to pick a replacement for Jerry Meek, who is stepping down after two terms.

Meek was elected without the support of Gov. Mike Easley, although traditionally party chairs have been backed by the governor. Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue has not said whether she wants to play a role in choosing the new chair.

A number of Democrats are either running for chairman of thinking about it. They include Dannie Montgomery of Anson County, the state party’s first vice chairman; David Parker of Statesville, a Democratic National committeman; Richard Sullivan of Raleigh, a former finance director for the Democratic National Committee; and Luke Hyde, the 11th congressional district Democratic chair.

More names for Democratic chair

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:18:46 -0500

A few more names have floated for Democratic Party chair.

Two insiders are considering moving up. Dannie Montgomery, currently the first vice chair and a longtime Anson County activist, is reportedly interested in the position, as is Luke Hyde of Bryson City, currently the 11th Congressional District chair.

In addition, Clinton fundraiser Richard Sullivan may be interested in either the chairmanship or a finance position.

As previously reported, Statesville attorney David Parker and state Rep. Grier Martin may also be candidates.

A Democratic insider tells Dome that all of the candidates are holding back from making too public of a race until Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue sends a clear signal of what she wants.

Current chair Jerry Meek will step down at the end of January.

Update: Martin says that he's not running.

"It's not anything that I'm interested in," he said.