For the first time in more than a century, the once-proud party of Jim Hunt and Terry Sanford, Luther Hodges and O. Max Gardner has been banished to the back benches of North Carolina state government.
The state Democratic Party also has been in turmoil since last spring, after allegations of sexual harassment. State Party chairman David Parker was criticized for his handling of the affair, but ignored pressure to resign. As a result, he became a liability as a spokesman and fundraiser.
Still, Parker has privately told some he may seek another term, and party leaders fear he may have the committee votes to keep the job. Read more here.
More political headlines:
--As a bonus clip, Pat McCrory's ally Nikki Haley finds her governorship at a crossroads.
--Help Observer editorial cartoonist Kevin Siers write the capiton on this cartoon.
