News-Record.com

The Simkins PAC's endorsements for city elections have gone out in the mail to African American voters.

Interestingly, the PAC chose to endorse only two candidates for at-large seats in the City Council race: Yvonne Johnson and Sandra Anderson. Anderson, the PAC'e endorsement said, "will be responsive and open-minded." Anderson was no surprise as an endorsement. She has deep roots in the African American community, where she has built 1,200 houses.

That could have an impact on how Florence Gatten and Don Vaughan fare in black precincts. Conventional wisdom had been that Vaughan would get the third nod from the PAC. Conventional wisdom obviously was wrong.

Foe Gatten in particular, this makes the road rougher. She polled poorly in black precincts in the primary. On the other hand, the issue is not only how many but who. So few people turned out for the Oct. 11 primary that Gatten still could rally in tomorrow's election.

Vaughan continues a losing streak in local endorsements, where Yes! Weekly, the Rhino Times and the News & Record all have left him off their endorsement lists.

The PAC's other endorsements:

Mayor: Keith Holliday, who is running unopposed. Holliday "has been more responsive to many of our concerns and initiated projects to improve race relations," the mailer noted.

District 1: >Luther Falls over incumbent Dianne Bellamy-Small. The PAC's letter described Falls as "an energetic new voice who will be responsive in addressing our needs and concerns." The PAC did not indicate what dissatisfaction it obviously must have with the job performance of Bellamy-Small.

District 2: Goldie Wells over Ed Whitfield. The PAC said Wells "has been a strong voice addressing landfill issues, recruiting businesses & promoting economic development for N.E. Greensboro."

District 3: No endorsement.

District 4: Newcomer Janet Wallace over former county commissioner Mike Barber. Curious. The PAC described Wallace as "sensitive to quality of life issues."
District 5: No endorsement.

The PAC mailer was signed by its chairwoman, state House Rep. Alma Adams,and its vice chairman, attorney R. Steve Bowden.