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.
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Re: Neal mulling run for party chair
I respect jim's cojones in running as an out gay man in North Carolina. That is not an easy task to take up.
But his campaign was run on chutzpah and energy, not organizational ability. In fact, it was mostly a model of disorganization. Near the end, they even put out a faux newspaper that stated a position contradictory to Jim's.
And don't even try to raise the fundraising canard. He was pitiful, loaning himself more than he raised from other people (IIRC).
I harbor some admiration for Jim, but he would be a poor choice for state chair.