Minority candidates succeed in at-large voting
Is there enough evidence yet that there's no longer a need for race-based voting districts in Guilford County?
Barack Obama took 59 percent of the vote here Tuesday.
Sandra Alexander was elected to the at-large seat on the Guilford County Board of Education (beating Michael McKinney, who's also African American; the two led the balloting in the May primary).
Six of the 12 District Court judges elected in countywide voting are African American.
The only two African Americans running for statewide offices, Court of Appeals candidates Jim Wynn and Cheri Beasley, led in Guilford County.
In fact, other than McKinney, only one African American candidate whose name appeared on every Guilford County ballot did not win. That was Barbara Gore Washington, running for a District Court judge seat. And she had once been elected Guilford County's clerk of court, of course in countywide voting.
In High Point, meanwhile, Mary Lou Blakeney was elected to an at-large City Council seat by a wide margin.
African American candidates who entered at-large elections were overwhelmingly successful Tuesday, defying the attitude of those who think they can't win unless they run in districts with "majority minority" populations.
Is it time to change policies to keep up with the changing times?
Comments (4)
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Doug, would also be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to wish you a Happy Dot Day.
Would only that this become an annual and not just a one-time thing.
Posted on November 6, 2008 2:09 PM
It wasn't so long ago that every day was Dot Day for you. I'm glad you're starting to let go.
Posted on November 6, 2008 2:14 PM
You're right, Doug. It was just like that movie Groundhog Day. I do appreciate your indulgences during those dark times, as well as Allen's, for providing outlets, serving as punching bags, giving print space, blog space etc. (although Ms. Jennifer axed me from the Chalkboard, ostensibly for saying "damn".)
Seeing your own mind- numbing frustration with the Guilford co. political machine manifested in your recent posts above ie electing people to the bench who don't show up for court dates etc, I'm sure you can understand people not wanting to take it anymore and trying to do something about it etc.
You're right. The time comes when you have to let go.
Posted on November 6, 2008 3:12 PM
Savage, I'll never block you from this blog. You're a reminder that, sometimes, dark sarcasm is the only truly satisfying weapon we have in this dangerous world.
Posted on November 6, 2008 3:18 PM