Cindy Burke is in charge of our Get Out the Vote (GOTV) campaign and if you haven’t seen her doing one of several hundred chores in and around party headquarters the past couple of weeks, you simply have not been paying attention. She could use volunteers and here are some of the tasks that need doing:
Poll Greeter: Working during early voting at one of the five sites; You’ll get plenty of support: we will wear masks and socially distance, there will be gloves for handing out ballots, and there will be another person with you
Helping distribute door hangers
Virtual canvassing
Working as a host/hostess at headquarters while it’s open
Phone banking
Placing candidate signs in your yard or along the highways
Picking up signs after the election.
Contact Cindy Burke at cbburke123@gmail.com or at 828-507-2408 if you can do any of these tasks.
Joe Sam Queen Is Our Guest for the Last Meet the Candidates Session
Joe Sam Queen will be our guest for our last Meet the Candidate feature at our monthly meetings. He has served in both the NC Senate and House of Representatives and currently holds the seat to the 119th District of the House. The 119th encompasses all of Jackson and Swain Counties as well as part of Haywood.
The format will be as it has been for our previous candidate sessions: first part is a group of set questions, followed by questions from the floor, and ending with a lightning round of short answer simple queries. Our short business session will involve an update on the election, volunteer opportunities that are still open, and prospects for November. Traditionally, we do not meet in December.
Watch for the ZOOM invitation, which will go out the week of the meeting. There will also be an agenda and additional announcements in written format that goes out with that agenda. If you want to get the invitation, contact Cynthia Burke.
Joe Sam Queen Seeking Phone Bankers and Poll Greeters
Joe Sam Queen has a phone bank that is working out of the southern part of Jackson County. If you are interested in phone banking for him, contact Susan Bianchi. He’s also seeking poll greeters. The Jackson County Democratic Party will have poll greeters at all early voting sites handing out blue ballots and other candidate materials. Usually that means we have at least two people at those sites and sometimes candidates also have folks. If you aren’t working for the party and want to step up and work for Joe Sam Queen, let Penny Smith know.
Tue., Sep. 29, 9:00pm – 10:30pm:1st Presidential Debate. Moderated by Chris Wallace and showing on NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX & MSNBC (I guess they really want you to see it!).
Wed., Sep. 30, 7:00pm: Moe Davis-Madison Cawthorn Debate (#4). Airing on TV atWYMA My40 . It will also be streamed on wlos.com and carolinapublicpress.org. To submit a question to the candidates, email news@wlos.com.
Thu., Oct. 1, 7:00pm: Cal Cunningham-Thom Tillis Debate. Stay tuned.
Republican Mike Clampitt and Democrat Rep. Joe Sam Queen, candidates for the North Carolina House of Representative District 119, will appear at a virtual town hall hosted by The Smoky Mountain News and Blue Ridge Public Radio.
On the evening of Thursday, Sept. 24, candidates will join moderators Lilly Knoepp and Cory Vaillancourt for “NC 119: Virtual Town Hall” starting at 7 p.m. Both moderators will pose questions for these political veterans as well as ask questions sent in by the community and local leaders.
This will be the fifth time that these two candidates have gone head-to-head to represent the people of Haywood, Jackson and Swain counties.
Residents of the district are invited to submit questions about current issues like COVID-19, racial justice, employment in the mountains, or other relevant issues by visiting the Facebook event page, www.bit.ly/5NC119.
The virtual event will be hosted at Western Carolina University. Due to venue capacity limits currently in place, the event will not be open to the public, but will be livestreamed on Blue Ridge Public Radio’s Facebook page.
Share your input for next week’s NC 119: Virtual Town Hall Join Blue Ridge Public Radio and Smoky Mountain Newsnext Thursday, September 24, at 7 PM for a virtual town hall with Republican Mike Clampitt and Democrat Representative Joe Sam Queen, candidates running for the North Carolina House of Representatives District 119. This will be the fifth time that these two candidates have gone head-to-head to represent the people of Haywood, Jackson and Swain counties. A big part of this virtual town hall is YOU. If you live in Swain, Jackson or Haywood Counties, send us your questions and concerns for both candidates. Do you want to talk about COVID-19, employment in the mountains, racial justice or other topics? Submit your questions by recording a voice memo and emailing them to lknoepp@bpr.org, or post a comment to the event’s Facebook page. The virtual event will be hosted at Western Carolina University; however, due to venue capacity limits currently in place the event will not be open to the public. This town hall will be livestreamed on Blue Ridge Public Radio’s Facebook page.
The North Carolina Democratic Party will host 8 Virtual Town Halls during the months of September and October. This includes a Supreme Court Town Hall specific to District 11 on October 15th at 7pm. Please attend our district’s town hall by signing up HERE. Registration is required. There will be statewide Council of State Town Halls over the next two months:
If you would like to share any of these events on Facebook, you can see all of them here.
The NCDP is committed to supporting races up and down the ballot, and giving voters all the information they need to make informed decisions this November.
This is the most important election in modern history, and North Carolina voters are ready to put leaders on the Council of State and on the Supreme Court who will work for every day North Carolinians, not for special interests.
Thank you,
Kathy Sinclair, Chair
NC CD11 Democratic Party
The first two debates are in the books and we are already looking ahead to Wednesday, when the third debate will be held at Southwestern Community College in Sylva. I hope you share my view that this race is about who can best serve the needs of the people of Western North Carolina. Who offers the policies that will allow us to grow and prosper?
After two debates, I think the answer is clear.
JOINT STATEMENT WITH NC-13 NOMINEE SCOTT HUFFMANON PRESIDENT TRUMP’S DISPARAGING REMARKS ABOUT TROOPS
The President of the United States has gone too far.
According to an article in The Atlantic magazine that has been confirmed by multiple media outlets, President Trump has disparaged the troops who gave their lives for our country. As veterans and public servants, we cannot allow the words of our President to stand without forceful objection.
We served. We enlisted. We volunteered. We swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. Our military service is not beholden to a single man, woman, or public official. Our service is sworn to the people and the laws of the United States of America, as outlined in the Constitution.
Some of you may call us brave heroes. We wish that you would not. The heroes are the men and women who laid down their lives in the field of battle. We served to honor them. We continue to honor them, not as “losers” and “suckers,” as the President said, but as the solemn guardians of our shores and, more importantly, our freedoms.
Make no mistake, my fellow Americans and North Carolinians, when a Commander in Chief desecrates the memory of the men and women who died protecting his freedom, it diminishes the value of every member of the military who has stood a post, here and abroad.
We served so Donald Trump could play golf on his bone spurs.
As candidates for federal office, we now stand for North Carolina so that the vicious and vile disregard for our state’s brave servicemen and women doesn’t put them in danger. We are running for office because we cannot stand silently while threats to our nation go unchecked and our military brothers and sisters go unprotected.
This is the United States of America. We honor the legacies of the devil dogs, midshipmen, airmen and Rangers who came before us and we wish to serve to protect those who stand post for us now.
His enablers amplify his dishonor. We’re here to stop them.
VETS FOR MOE!
Are you a veteran supporting Col. Moe Davis for Congress? We want to hear from you! Send us a short selfie video to VetsForMoe@moedavis.com saying why you support Col. Davis and we might highlight it on our social media.
Col. Davis met with a group of veterans last Saturday in Burnsville and hopes to have more events with veterans throughout the 11th District. If you would like to host an event, or if you know of a good location to hold one, please let us know and we’ll try to arrange a meet-and-greet.
DON’T FORGET WEDNESDAY’S DEBATE
Want to watch Round 3, Moe vs. Madison? It will be live streamed here starting at 7 PM ET. It will also be available on Moe’s campaign Facebook and YouTube pages, and Moe’s personal Twitter fee
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DEBATES
There were plenty of key moments in the first two debates. We are particularly partial to this one, where Col. Davis talked about his military record and the pride he felt in receiving the Legion of Merit, one of many honors he earned during a 25-year career in the Air Force.
His career wasn’t without controversy. It included the decision to resign his post as Chief Prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay after he was ordered to use evidence obtained by torture.
Not surprisingly, there were those who criticized Col. Davis for taking that stand. But there is no doubt who is on the right side of history. Torture was wrong then and it is wrong today.
And that’s what true character and integrity are all about. Col. Davis knew that it would cost him to make that decision. He did it anyway.
Because it was the right thing to do.
ENDORSEMENT FROM THE COALITION TO STOP GUN VIOLENCE
Leaders from Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth to North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper have stepped forward to endorse Col. Davis. And more than a dozen organizations have also “signed up” to support our campaign, representing everyone from veterans to teachers to the LGBTQIA community.
Thank you to the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence for joining VoteVets, the Sierra Club, North Carolina Association of Educators, National Organization of Women PAC, Equality NC, AFL-CIO Western North Carolina Central Labor Council, Common Defense, Moms Demand Action, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Progressive Turnout Project, Patriotic Millionaires and Serve America PAC in supporting Moe Davis for Congress.
OUR RESTAURANTS NEED HELP. NOW.
LIVE IN POLK COUNTY? MAKE A VIDEO!
Every Democrat (and independent and Republican) should go to the Polk County Democratic Party website and sign up for its newsletter. It’s packed with information on absentee ballots, signs, when and how to vote and more.
This month’s newsletter features a request for selfie videos on why you are a Democrat or what candidates you are supporting (like Col. Davis!) to be used in their virtual Fall Rally on Sept. 27. Submit videos to their dropbox by Sept. 19 and don’t forget to include your pet in the video if you can!
SIGNS AVAILABLE!
We are seeing Moe Davis signs go up all over Western North Carolina! Thanks to everyone who has ordered a yard sign or a 4 x 6 banner – we’ve had to place a double-order for new ones because we’ve had so many requests.
If you would like a sign, please check at your local county Democratic Party HQ. Signs should be available at Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania HQs. We also have signs available for pick-up in Avery, Black Mountain, Graham, Mars Hill, Swain, and Yancey. (Send an email to yardsign@moedavis.com for info on those non-HQ pick-up locations.) And if you want to give another one to your friend, family member or neighbor, please consider a donation to help us defray the costs. We would really appreciate it!
Remember, you can place signs on your private property now, but you have to wait until Sept. 15 to put a sign on public property. (We wish our opponent would follow the law).
APPLYING FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT IS EASY
We have been urging voters to consider voting by absentee ballot this election cycle given the current COVID-19 pandemic. Now, North Carolina has made it even easier to apply. All you have to do to apply for an absentee ballot is go here to apply online. It takes just a minute or two to fill out the application.
Given delays at the post office, we would also urge you to do this sooner rather than later to get your ballot in on time. Remember, too, you can drop your ballot off at the Board of Elections rather than mail it.
WHEN THE SHOUTING ENDS
Our opponent is good at yelling – my goodness, we all heard it on both nights of the debate. If volume was all that mattered …
But this race isn’t about who can shout. It’s about who can lead.
If you want a leader in Congress, help us get there. Please donate.
Voting begins today, September 4th. The election is underway and starting today the first ballots are being mailed to those who have already submitted their ballot requests.
In this election you have three distinct ways to vote. First, by Absentee ballot beginning today. Second, during one stop Early Voting or third by voting on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd.
How to Register
Requirements to Register:
Be a US Citizen.
Live in the county where you wish to register to vote for at least 30 days.
Be 18 years old by Election Day, November 3rd, 2020.
Not be serving a sentence for a felony conviction, including probation, parole or post-release supervision. Once all sentence conditions are served you may vote again.
Citizens registering to vote must offer proof of their identity and residence by showing any of the following documents with their name and address:
NC Driver’s License
Other photo identification issued by a government agency. Any government-issued photo ID is acceptable, provided that the card includes the voter’s name and address.
A copy of a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document showing the voter’s name and address.
A college/university photo ID card paired with proof of campus habitation.
How To Register:
You may register by any of the following ways anytime between now and October 9th*:
Stopping by your Board of Elections Office and registering in person.
Youmay vote by Absentee ballot any time from now until Election Day, November 3rd. You must be registered to vote in order to vote by Absentee. The deadline for requesting an Absentee ballot is 5 PM on Tuesday, October 27, 2020. Absentee ballots have to either be received by your Board of Elections or postmarked by Election Day to be counted. (Voting by Mail in NC is Safe.)
Here are the steps to vote Absentee:
Early One-Stop Voting
(Vote & Register at Same Time)
In 2020, the in-person Early Voting period begins Thursday, October 15, and ends Saturday, October 31,
During Early Voting between Oct. 15 – Oct. 31*individuals who are not registered but are otherwise qualified to vote in a county may register in person at any of their counties’ Early Voting sites during the voting period. After registering, the newly registered voter can immediately vote at the same site on the same day.
including two Sunday opportunities.
During Early Voting, you may cast a ballot at any Early One-Stop Voting site in your county. If you are not registered or you need to modify your registration you can do it at that time. (During the General Election on November 3, you must vote at your assigned precinct.)
Election Day: Tuesday, November 3rd
Know Your Polling Place:
To find your polling place, use the link here. Once you’ve found your polling place, all you have left to do is be sure you’re registered and to vote.
Polling places are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Any voter in line at 7:30 p.m. will be able to vote. The busiest times tend to be early in the morning and just before the polls close. Avoid longer lines by voting at off-peak times, or plan ahead and vote absentee or during the Early Voting period.
Polling Places Will Be Safe:
Significant precautions will be made to protect voters and election workers against the transmission of COVID-19. These include:
Enforcing social distancing at polling places and Early Voting sites
Providing hand sanitizer and masks for voters and election workers who do not bring their own.
Providing gloves and face shields for election workers.
Erecting barriers between election workers and voters at check-in tables.
Providing single-use pens in counties that use hand-marked paper ballots and Q-tips for voters who use ballot-marking devices.
Frequently cleaning surfaces and equipment in polling places and Early Voting sites.
Recruiting poll workers who are less vulnerable to the virus.
For more information on how COVID-19 may impact your voting experience, visit the NC Voting and Coronavirus page.
Make yourself a plan to vote. And help your friends and family.
Don’t leave anyone behind. We’re all in this together.
Until we speak again, stay safe. If you or a loved one is concerned about your health, the numbers for each of District 119’s Health Departments are listed below:
This Thursday, join Col. Moe Davis, Congressman Seth Moulton, and hosts Ken Brame, Bob Deutsch, Rick Devereaux, Doreen Carroll, Arch Ramos, Don Swaby and Rich Wasch for a VIP virtual reception.
This virtual event will take place at 5:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 3rd. Congressman and retired USMC Capt. Seth Moulton and Col. Moe Davis will discuss our strategy to return leadership and a spirit of service to Washington. This is a can’t miss event! Get your tickets here!
Congressman and retired USMC Capt. Seth Moulton and Col. Moe Davis will discuss our strategy to return leadership and a spirit of service to Washington. This is a can’t miss event!
Over the past three campaign cycles, students in Dr. Bucky Dann’s Social Problems class at Southwestern Community College have questioned candidates vying for varying levels of state and local office.
At 7 p.m. on Sept. 9, Dr. Dann’s current students get to step on the national stage as they will guide the conversation in a debate featuring the two men contending for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives: Republican Madison Cawthorn and Democrat Moe Davis.
“I’m kind of mixed with emotions right now,” said Courtney Thomas, an SCC student who resides in Sylva. “I feel excited because I get to ask questions about topics I think are super-important right now. I’m also super-nervous about public speaking. But I’m mostly excited.”
SCC students spend the first few weeks of their class meetings researching and discussing issues of relevance in the race, and they develop their own questions on a variety of topics with the goal of illustrating the differences in the candidates’ points of view.
The congressional event will be the first of four debates hosted at Southwestern this fall. Following is a list of the other debates, dates and candidates who’ve been invited to appear:
Jackson County Board of Commissioners (Sept. 24) – Democrats Susan Bogardus (Dist. 3) and Mark Jones (Dist. 4); and Republicans Tom Stribling (Dist. 3) and Mark Letson (Dist. 4).
N.C. House of Representatives, Dist. 119 (Oct. 8) – Republican Mike Clampitt and Democrat Joe Sam Queen.
N.C. Senate, District 50 (Oct. 22) – Republican Kevin Corbin and Democrat Victoria Fox.
All debates start at 7 p.m.
Because the state remains in Phase 2 of Gov. Roy Cooper’s reopening plan, members of the public will not be able to physically attend the Sept. 9 debate that will be held on SCC’s Jackson Campus. Instead, SCC will provide live streaming video at https://livestream.com/southwesterncc/congress2020.
“From the time we started hosting these debates in 2014, our goal has been to provide an unbiased platform for candidates to express themselves to the public,” said Dr. Dann, a member of SCC’s faculty since 2006. “Every time we’ve gone through this process, our students have impressed me with how thoroughly they’ve researched the issues. Their questions generate thoughtful – if passionate – dialogue among the candidates, and I can already tell this year’s students will uphold that tradition.”
Considering the effect of COVID-19 on today’s political climate, student Donald Norton of Sylva said he’s looking forward to hearing how the candidates respond to questions posed by himself and his classmates.
“2020 has shown a lot of things about America and its underlying infrastructure, and there are a lot of weaknesses that got highlighted: How fragile the economy is sitting versus the unemployment rate,” Norton said. “(COVID) has played a pretty major impact on this year, so candidates need to find a way to step up to the problems that have arisen.”
For updates about SCC’s debates, check SCC‘s website, official social media pages (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) regularly.
North Carolina law allows any individual or state-registered political action committee (PAC) to contribute up to $5,400 per election. Contributions from business entities and corporations are prohibited. Cash contributions in excess of $50 are prohibited. Anonymous contributions are prohibited. Contributions from registered lobbyists are prohibited. Contributions from PACs are prohibited when the General Assembly is in Regular Session. State law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer of individuals whose contributions aggregate in excess of $50 per election. Please provide this information if required.
Paid for by Cooper for North Carolina
Roy Cooper for North Carolina
PO Box 1190
Raleigh, NC 27602 United States
Join Our Debate Watch Party Hosted By:
NC CD11 Democratic Party and the Coordinated Campaign
Friday, September 4 and Saturday, September 5 – Starting at 7:15PM NC 11 Congressional District Debates Starts at 7:30 PM Come join the District 11 Democratic Party and the Coordinated Campaign to watch Democratic Nominee Moe Davis take on Republican Madison Cawthorn in the first forums of the 11th Congressional District U.S. House Race.
Moe Davis is a retired Air Force Colonel, Director of the Air Force Judiciary and former Chief Prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay. He has been a law professor, judge, speaker, writer and national security expert for Congress. He is the best candidate to represent Western North Carolina and is the fighter we need in Congress! There are 2 forums hosted back to back – one Friday evening, and one Saturday. Join us!
The forums are sponsored by Blue Ridge Public Radio, Mountain Xpress and Smoky Mountain news.
Here’s what Moe’s campaign has to say: Colonel Moe Davis (USAF, Ret.) will face off against Republican opponent Madison Cawthorn in a pair of debates to be hosted by Blue Ridge Public Radio, Mountain Xpress and Smoky Mountain News. The “Best in the West: North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District forum,” on Sept. 4 and Sept. 5 will be moderated by reporter Cory Vaillancourt with a diverse panel of guests who will question the candidates. “I’m pleased we finally got an agreement from the other side to do debates,’’ Col. Davis said. “There are sharp contrasts — personally, professionally and politically — between me and Madison Cawthorn and debates will give voters an opportunity to learn more about us so they can make informed decisions. The debates are going to underscore the obvious … education, training and experience matters.” The Sept. 4 debate will take place at Western Carolina University’s Biltmore Park campus and include questions from Lenoir-Rhyne University Equity and Diversity Institute developer Aisha Adams, former Asheville Citizen Times political reporter and current Mountain Xpress contributor Mark Barrett and Pete Kaliner, longtime N.C. political reporter, radio host and podcaster. The debate will focus on international, national, state and urban issues. On Sept. 5, the candidates will be at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee and questions on rural issues, native issues and education will come from WCU political science and public affairs department chair Chris Cooper, WCU professor of economics and director of WCU’s Center for the Study of Free Enterprise Edward Lopez and Principal Chief Richard G. Sneed, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Other options to watch: Moe Davis Facebook Page Starting at 6:30pm: https://moedavisforcongress.com/event/best-of-the-west-debate-part-i/ Blue Ridge Public Radio’s facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/blueridgepublic/
Republican Madison Cawthorn and Democrat Moe Davis, candidates for the North Carolina congressional seat left vacant by White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, have both agreed to appear at a two-day joint forum hosted by three of the district’s largest media outlets.
On the evenings of Friday Sept. 4, and Saturday, Sept. 5, candidates will join moderator Cory Vaillancourt and a diverse panel of guests for “Best in the West: North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District forum.”
The first event, to be held at Western Carolina University’s Biltmore Park instructional site, will feature questions by Lenoir-Rhyne University Equity and Diversity Institute program developer Aisha Adams, former Asheville Citizen Times political reporter and current Mountain Xpress contributor Mark Barrett and Pete Kaliner, longtime N.C. political reporter, radio host and podcaster. Topics will include international, national, state and urban issues.
The second event, to be held at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, will include WCU political science and public affairs department chair Chris Cooper, WCU professor of economics and director of WCU’s Center for the Study of Free Enterprise Edward Lopez and Principal Chief Richard G. Sneed, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Topics will include rural issues, native issues and education.
Due to venue capacity limits currently in place, events will not be open to the public, but will be livestreamed. Specific times and instructions on how to watch will be published in the coming days.
We are still ironing out some of the details, but I wanted to let you know there will be at least three debates with Madison Cawthorn coming up in early September. We are hoping there will be more.
And I think it will become clear to those who watch that Mr. Cawthorn has neither the knowledge nor the experience to be a Congressman.
Stay tuned for the announcements.
LOCAL LEADERS ENDORSE MOE DAVIS
More than three dozen local, state and national leaders and organizations have already stepped forward to endorse Moe Davis for Congress in North Carolina’s 11th District in 2020. Now five more District officials are joining them in supporting Col. Davis, the Democratic nominee:
· Bob Scott, Mayor of Franklin
· Rod Whiteside, Mayor of Fletcher
· Julie Mayfield, Asheville City Council Member
· Chuck Dickson, Town of Waynesville Alderman
· Ryan Stone, Black Mountain Alderman
They join Gov. Roy Cooper, former North Carolina Supreme Court Associate Justice and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Orr, Major General Rick Devereaux and organizations such as VoteVets, the Sierra Club and the North Carolina Association of Educators in endorsing Col. Davis. A full list of endorsements can be found at moedavisforcongress.com/endorsements/.
“I’m grateful for the support of so many elected officials from across the District who share my belief that by working together we can improve the quality of life for everyone —Democrats, Republicans and Unaffiliateds — and create opportunities for a brighter future for generations to come,’’ Col. Davis said. “I know that each one of them is dedicated to serving his or her constituents and I’m dedicated to partnering with them as Western North Carolina’s advocate in Congress.”
MEET MOE!
Want to meet Moe Davis? Register to attend one of his two back-to-back events on Saturday at the Old Sherrill’s Inn in Fairview! Col. Davis (USAF, Ret.) will discuss his policies and hopes for Western North Carolina when he greets guests in events specially designed to comply with state and federal guidelines for safety.
Registration is required for our 5 p.m. or 7 p.m. meet-and-greets through the links below.
Bring your masks. Bring a chair. And bring your questions. We look forward to seeing you
SCAM ALERT?
This warning comes from the Buncombe County Democratic Party
“Our local Democratic Party has received two reports this week of folks in Buncombe receiving random phone calls, purporting to be from the Board of Elections, informing voters they ‘no longer need to request an absentee ballot.’
This is false, and the Board of Elections is aware of this and is looking into it.
If you receive a call like this, or if you hear of a call like this, please try to get a phone number associated with the people who call and report it to the local Board of Elections.
There’s going to be a lot of misinformation out there this year, some just from confusion, and plenty to intentionally confuse and suppress votes. We each can make a big difference in helping to get accurate information about voting to our friends and neighbors this year.”
Don’t let this dissuade you from applying for an absentee ballot right now. It is still the safest way to vote in the midst of a global pandemic.
Ballots will be mailed out starting early next month.
Here’s a link for you to apply for an absentee ballot from the North Carolina Board of Elections.
REASON NO. 6,953,481 WE NEED CHANGE IN WASHINGTON
Every day, it seems, we come up with another example of how disastrous leadership is in Washington today. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced a bill that would remove a nursing home’s liability for negligent care that harms or results in the death of residents.
This as over 62,000 residents in nursing home facilities have died from COVID-19.
Now is not the time to let nursing homes and long-term care facilities off the hook for failing to protect residents. Please write to Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr urging them not to support the Safe to Work Act (S. 4317).
WEBSITE REFRESH
Please take a few minutes to visit our website, moedavisforcongress.com. We recently had new photographs taken and have updated our home page. Let us know what you think! [Special thanks to photographer Stephan Pruitt for his stellar work.]
CENSUS REMINDER
Do you know what is at stake every 10 years when the national census is conducted? Congressional seats are reallocated depending on population shifts and census totals help determine funding for programs in each state.
North Carolina is likely to gain a seat in Congress depending on the census results. So it is critical that we take the census so that we are counted.
Listen to your Governor and #MakeNCCount:
SHARE MOE’S POSTS
Just a reminder to share everything — Facebook/Instagram posts, Moments with Moe, YouTube videos, Letters to the Editor about Moe, newsletters, etc. — with friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers. You have to help get the word out to the folks who are going to start voting as early as the second week of September. We especially need Unaffiliated and Republican voters to see and to hear that Moe — as a member of the majority party in the House of Representatives — will be a much more effective member of Congress than his opponent — who would be a member of the minority.
DID YOU SEE THE STORY ABOUT CAWTHORN?The highly respected local news website AVL Watchdog has written an extensive story about Madison Cawthorn, including a disturbing report on his use of symbols associated with white nationalism. Mr. Cawthorn fails to fully address the issue, leaving too many questions unanswered about where he stands.
Our take? Madison Cawthorn shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near the levers of power in Washington.
I recently moved into a new house in Asheville and have been opening old boxes of memorabilia long stored away. I discovered this picture from my 25-year career in the Air Force, when I served in Saudi Arabia during Operation Southern Watch.There are those who talk about how they’d defend America and then there are those of us who did.
Experience matters.
HOW DO THEY COMPARE?
Moe Davis doesn’t have a lot in common with Madison Cawthorn when it comes to policy proposals for Western North Carolina. Here’s a quick glance at what each candidate has said about key issues:
HEALTHCARE
Moe Davis: Supports a public option to ensure that everyone has healthcare coverage, but allows those who prefer to procure their own insurance at their own expense to do so.
Madison Cawthorn: Seeks to allow more insurance companies to compete with Blue Cross and Blue Shield to lower costs. Of course, that will do nothing for those who lost employer-based health insurance. And allowing out-of-state insurance companies would strip away the state’s authority to regulate them, meaning fewer consumer protections.
COVID-19
Moe Davis: Believes it is a global pandemic that threatens our health and our economy, and follows state guidelines on masks and social distancing to protect others.
Madison Cawthorn: Says it’s no different than the flu, that we shouldn’t shut down our economy, and rarely wears a mask or practices social distancing.
BROADBAND
Moe Davis: Supports Jim Clyburn’s HR 7302 Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, an $80 billion investment in expanding broadband to rural areas.
Madison Cawthorn: Supports tax incentives for ISPs to get them to expand their networks. (This has been tried for nearly 20 years and has ultimately failed because ISPs won’t invest in expansion to rural areas where they can’t make a profit, even if they are given incentives to do so.)
EDUCATION
Moe Davis: Supports greater investment in Title I spending to improve rural education, supports tuition assistance for technical schools and state public universities and zero-interest loan programs.
Madison Cawthorn: Seeks to eliminate the Department of Education and end government student loan programs; believes colleges and universities are “indoctrination camps.”
VETERANS
Moe Davis: Will fight to protect the VA from privatization.
Madison Cawthorn: Supports a president who is seeking to privatize VA healthcare.
JOBS AND A LIVING WAGE
Moe Davis: Attracting jobs to Western North Carolina depends on expanding access to healthcare, adding broadband capability and training students for high tech jobs in green energy and green technology that pay well and will protect our environment. We also must raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
Madison Cawthorn: No mention of jobs or wages on his website.
ENVIRONMENT
Moe Davis: Believes in science and the need for policies to reverse climate change because it is our moral obligation to preserve and protect our land, air and water for our children and future generations. Will work to extend and expand federal support for commercial and consumer alternative energy programs including wind, solar, geothermal heating and cooling. Supports a return to the Paris Agreement.
Madison Cawthorn: Crickets.
RACIAL INEQUALITY
Moe Davis: Supports ending qualified immunity so that police officers can be held liable for violating the rights of people they serve. He would push to establish a federal model policing program that creates standards of conduct including de-escalation and the use of non-lethal force. He supports efforts to give back to the Black community to compensate for decades of racist economic policies.
Madison Cawthorn: Called Democrats racists and said reparations are not needed because 600,000 died to free slaves in the Civil War. Offered hydration packs to Asheville police a day after police made international news by destroying a medic station and slashing bottles of water meant for protestors.
WOMEN
Moe Davis: Supports North Carolina’s bid to approve the Equal Rights Amendment.
ENDORSEMENT FROM REP. SETH MOULTON’S SERVE AMERICA PAC
Congressman Seth Moulton’s Serve America PAC, which recruits and supports veterans and service-oriented candidates including political newcomers, has announced it is endorsing Moe Davis for Congress in North Carolina’s 11th District.
“Retired Col. Moe Davis has repeatedly demonstrated that he is unafraid to stand up for what’s right, even when it comes at his own personal and professional expense,’’ Rep. Moulton said. “Over the course of his career in the Air Force and in government service, Davis consistently challenged the status quo and stood up for his principles, and our country is better for it. I look forward to seeing him bring that sense of integrity and moral authority to Washington.’’
Serve America PAC joins veterans groups VoteVets.org and Common Defense along with the Sierra Club, North Carolina Association of Educators, AFL-CIO Western North Carolina Central Labor Council, Equality NC, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Patriotic Millionaires, Progressive Turnout Project and Moms Demand Action in supporting Davis.
“I’m grateful to Representative Seth Moulton and Serve America for their support of my campaign to represent Western North Carolina in Congress,’’ Davis said. “Like Representative Moulton, I’m proud to be a Veteran and I share his commitment to put service before self and stand up for what’s right even when doing so comes at a cost. I look forward to serving with him in the 117th Congress and working with him to get our country back on the right track. We can and will do better.”
150,000 … AND COUNTING
The death toll from COVID-19 continues to rise unabated as our country fails to take the necessary steps that other nations have committed to in order to control the spread of this deadly global pandemic.
Moe posted this video on reaching yet another grim milestone.
STATEMENT ON TROOP WITHDRAWAL IN GERMANY
Donald Trump said, “We don’t want to be responsible anymore” to explain why he’s pulling one-third of U.S. troops — about 12,000 of roughly 36,000 troops — out of Germany. He said Germany hasn’t lived up to its financial commitment to NATO; therefore, he’s cutting our troop presence.
U.S. troops are stationed in Germany and other NATO countries as a forward presence to deter Russian aggression, which is a key strategic interest of the United States … or at least it was until January 20, 2017. Trump acts like our troops are mall cops, and if store owners aren’t ponying up enough to suit him, he’ll pull his rent-a-guards out of the mall and put it at risk in order to shake down the store owners. Whether it’s through ignorance, indifference or to appease his pal Putin, Trump’s actions are feckless and reckless.
At any given point in time, about 1 in 15 of America’s 1.3 million active duty troops are overseas. We have troops in about 150 countries. There are just a few troops in many countries, often at our embassies, and tens of thousands in others where a large forward presence supports our strategic interests. Moe is a firm believer in fiscal responsibility and hasspent most of his adult life involved in military and national security matters. He understands the importance of striking a reasonable balance between spending and security. We need to continually assess where we deploy our military assets and increase or decrease them as appropriate at the time and consistent with our strategic interests. But arbitrarily yanking troops out of Germany to poke them for not paying what Trump believes they owe isn’t just foolish, it’s dangerous.
Our troops deserve a Commander-in-Chief they can trust. America deserves a President who puts America’s national security first. The world deserves an America that is responsible.
We all deserve better than Donald Trump.
SUPPORTING NURSES
Mission Hospital Nurses — Moe Davis stands with you. The decision to unionize is your decision to make. Thank you for all you do for Western North Carolina.
APPLY FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT
Concerned about voting in the age of the coronavirus? You can protect yourself and still exercise your right to vote using an absentee ballot, a method we are urging voters to choose this election cycle. You can go to this link for an application. Bear in mind there could be changes to the absentee ballot application. We’ll keep you updated.
Voters have until Oct. 27 to request an absentee ballot, but we would recommend you apply now and vote early so that the State Board of Elections isn’t inundated at the last minute and there isn’t any delay in getting the ballot back in time.
Reminder, you don’t have to vote by absentee ballot if you apply. But it is a great back-up if there are any disruptions and a reduction in polling locations due to the pandemic. Keep in mind that even if you apply now, you won’t actually receive an absentee ballot until September.
EXPERIENCE ISN’T ALL THAT MATTERS
We’ve said it before: Experience matters. But unfortunately, money matters, too. We need to increase our fundraising so that we can get the message out about Moe Davis’s experience.
I hope each of you are in good health, staying safe, and wearing a mask in public. Wearing a mask protects others and reduces the spread of COVID-19. We all want small businesses to re-open safely and be able to remain open. We all want workers to return to a safe workplace and unemployment rates to drop. We all want children and teachers to return to school and learn in a safe environment. We all want our family, friends and neighbors to be healthy, and safe from COVID-19. At this time, the only safe way to make this happen is to practice the 3Ws…Wear a Mask…Wait at least 6 feet apart…Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Thanks for doing your part.
November 3rd is just over 3 months away, so now is the time to provide voters with complete and accurate election information. Several reliable resources are available to voters, and here are just a few to share with your friends and neighbors.
Absentee Ballot Requests
No Excuse Absentee Voting is available to ALL voters in North Carolina. Absentee Ballot Requests are now being accepted by your local Board of Elections, and anyone receiving an Absentee Ballot will still have the option to vote in person. The first thing to do is obtain an Absentee Ballot Request Form and submit it to your local Board of Elections. CLICK HERE to download a Request Form from the North Carolina State Board of Election. Page 1 includes instructions on how to complete your request. Page 2 is the Absentee Ballot Request which you’ll complete and return to your local Board of Elections. Page 3 is where to find the address for your local Board of Elections. Some Boards of Elections allow Request Forms to be submitted electronically, so double-check with your local BOE for your county’s instructions.
Your actual Absentee Ballot should arrive sometime during the month of September. To help prevent a backlog, it’s recommended that ballots be completed and returned as soon as possible. More information on this process will follow in a future newsletter.
Andy Millard, Chair of the Polk County Democratic Party has put together this very helpful video to address questions. Scroll down to county news to find the link to the video.
One more thing…we’d like a to ask you a favor. Once you’ve requested an Absentee Ballot Request Form please let District 11 know by emailing us at nc11democrats@gmail.com. And if you don’t mind, include your cell phone number. We’d like to touch base with you closer to the election via a text message. Thank you.
Voter Guide/Sample Ballots
Another helpful resource is the link https://slate.ncdems.civicengine.com where voters are able to obtain a personal voting guide/sample ballot. Voters simply click on the link, enter an address, and they’ll see all the candidates on their ballot. This link will be updated with Board of Education and Soil & Water Conservations candidates in the near future.
Voter Registration
Voter Registration is now available online to DMV customers who have either a North Carolina driver’s license or DMV-issued ID. At this site, voters can register, update their voter registration, registration address or update their party affiliations. There is no fee for this service. Learn more at https://www.ncsbe.gov/Voters/Registering-to-Vote.
Members of the District 11 Executive Committee are required to attend or provide a proxy.
The District 11 Executive Committee Meeting is Wednesday, August 5th at 6:30 – 8:00PM. Click the link above for a proposed agenda and information on how to join the meeting. Two important agenda items include electing members to the Resolutions & Platform Committee and the Council of Review. Both current members are running for re-election, however nominations will be taken from the floor. Jeff Rose has served as our representative on the Resolutions & Platform Committee since 2018. Beth Osgaard is serving a 2nd non-consecutive term on the Council of Review.
Protecting our Vote in the 11th District!
In order to ensure everyone’s vote will be protected in November, we are:
Communicating with staff at the Boards of Election in all 17 counties to learn their plans for safety procedures at the polls, adequate staffing, and accommodating an increased number of absentee ballots. Poll workers tend to be seniors who are at risk for Covid-19 complications, so some counties are in need of younger poll workers and staff. These are paid positions so please check with your county boards if you’re willing to work when the polls open.
Working on a District plan for addressing any voter intimidation or irregularities that may arise. County party officials will have direct lines to our attorneys as needed.
Informed and prepared voters are the best protection when casting our ballots. This site – www.vote.org – provides information for voters about their registration, absentee ballots, and polling locations. Please share it with every Democratic voter you know!
Urging Democrats to consider helping their county parties as poll greeters or official poll observers representing our party at the polls. These folks will be on the front lines for reporting any problems voters may encounter.
Phone Banking is Now Our #1 Method for Reaching Voters!
Political experts agree that phone banking as one of top ways to win an election, and this year, we are even more dependent on making calls because we’re unable to knock on doors. Prior to Covid-19 about 10% of the folks we called picked up their phones, but we’re finding the pick-up rates are closer to 50% now because people are at home and eager to chat. If your county wants help setting up a local phone bank to reach voters, please contact Kathie Kline at kathiebkline@gmail.com or 828-776-3751. She can also pull lists for you if you’d prefer writing postcards.
Texting to Promote Absentee Ballot Requests
We are preparing to embark on a texting campaign to encourage over 60,000 voters in our District to request absentee ballots. Democratic and left-leaning Unaffiliated voters with verified cell phone numbers living in 16 of 17 counties will receive these texts (Buncombe County has its own texting plan and we don’t want to duplicate effort). If the response is positive and if resources allow, we may fund another campaign to Get Out the Vote when the polls open.
2020 Convention Plan Updates
Our delegates are now being instructed in procedural matters so they will be ready to fulfill their obligations as delegates during the week of August 17-21. We hope you’ll all tune in for this exciting and yes – historic event!
Mark Your Calendars
*note: Blue line is a clickable link..
North Carolina Women for Biden Launch Monday, July 27, 2020 5:30 PM 6:30 PM Ashley Biden and Judge Cheri Beasley On Monday, Join Ashley Biden, social worker & criminal justice reform advocate, and special guest Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, NC Supreme Court, at the NC Women for Biden Kickoff. July 27, Biden for President will launch North Carolina Women for Biden with Ashley Biden, the daughter of Jill and Joe Biden, Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, and other women leaders who will lead a community rally about what’s at stake in the upcoming election for women and North Carolinians in November.Video Conference with Pete Buttigieg and Cal Cunningham
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
5:00 AM 6:00 AM
Register for a video conference on Tuesday, July 28th, at 5:00 pm ET, and we’ll send you all the details you need to log on and chat with Pete.
Moe Davis Virtual Fundraiser
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
8:00 PM 9:00 PM Join Joanne Kalp & Ken Kahn, Tom Maxwell & Lynn Hamlin, Greg & Amy Miller, Allison Smith and Ginny Hunneke in supporting Moe Davis for Congress. We will be joined by NC Senator Terry Van Duyn who will introduce Moe. Click link above to register.
Town Hall w/ Wayne Goodwin Wednesday, July 29, 2020 7:00 PM 8:00 PM Hosted by Josh Remillard for NC House 117
Pride All Summer with Judge Lucy Inman Sunday, August 9, 2020 5:00 AM 6:00 AM Sunday August 9 5-6PM A virtual event supporting Judge Lucy Inman. Special guests will include Judge John Arrowood, Representative Deb Butler, and we are excited to present some entertaining surprises.2020 Defenders of Justice Awards
Sunday, October 4, 2020, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm
Pre-event cocktail reception from 5:30 to 6 pm
Online, Virtual Event
Special Presentation by NC Poet Laureate, Jaki Shelton Green
Music by Jennifer Evans
Please join us 30 minutes earlier to mingle in our virtual cocktail hour! We hope to see you there!
Every year we come together to celebrate the inspirational work of outstanding leaders in our community who are leading the fight for justice. These few exemplify our mission — they are working to eliminate poverty in North Carolina to ensure the creation of an economy that works for everyone. They are at the front-lines of advocating for progressive and inclusive policies that advance equity and opportunity in our state.
A complete list of awardees will be announced in the next couple of weeks — stay tuned!
Please contact me at Kim_marie@ncjustice.org or (919) 856-3185 with any questions.
County News
Avery Avery county’s early voting site will be moving to the new community pool in Newland. They are also putting out a 4000K mailing for Moe Davis to unaffiliated voters.
Buncombe County 100 days of action until November 3! Are you ready? On July 26, 100 days until election day BCDP along with HCDP co-hosted a Kickoff Event Guest speakers included Senator Terry Van Duyn and Sheriff Quentin Miller and other candidates.
ClayAs of August 10 Clay Co. HQ is open for two masked people at a time. They are sending postcards to Democrats and left leaning Unaffiliated including a special focus on Young Dems. Their YD group has started a new Instagram (claycountydemsnc) and a new website is in the works.
Haywood Haywood has been having EXECOM meetings on Zoom since May. Their first GOTV project is a post card mailing to 4K Dems that don’t have phone numbers. The others they will call or text.
HendersonHendersonville is working with BCDP on a July 29 Judge candidates zoom meeting noted in our Mark Your Calendars. The GOTV team is sending out postcards and precinct phone banking above. Messaging includes info on absentee ballots. There is also a group that are writing postcards for Sam Edney. They are also working on a peak hours poll greeters schedule.
Jackson Jackson had their countywide meeting via Zoom on 7/21. HQ is open 10-2 Mon-Thur. They have sent 3K postcard to Dems and Unaffiliated Dem Leaning. They are also working with NCDP phone banking and separate phone banking for Joe Sam Queen. They have a WCU intern, Zachary Wyatt who is writing articles for newspapers and reporting on demonstrations and boosting their Twitter account followers. Their communications group is writing weekly letters to the editor to the local paper. They also have a fundraiser of selling Democrat Masks at their website – JacksonDems.com.
Macon Macon’s HQ is gearing up to expand its hours Tue-Sat from 11AM – 6PM starting July 28. Macon County Hosts Moe Davis Rally at HQ Opening. ON Saturday, July 25, 2020 from 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM and repeating at 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM the NCDP hosted a very successful in-person masked, social-distanced rally and ribbon cutting event. Congressional candidate Moe Davis headlined the event. Other candidates speaking included Justin Greene, Candidate 30th District Court Judge, Betty Cloer Wallace, candidate for Macon County Commission and Emily Ritter, candidate for Macon County School Board.
McDowellMcDowell has been working to fill chairs for their precincts and have fill all but 2. They have completed a mass mailing encouraging voting volunteering and the use of absentee ballots. They are also completing phone bank trainings with their volunteers. They have developed two messages for their signage “Be the Change – Vote Democrat 2020” and “Justice for All – Vote Democrat 2020”.
Polk Polk County doing an absentee ballot mailing to all their Dems and a group of Unaffiliated voters with a return envelope. They have produced a video (https://vimeo.com/439135004) about how to get an absentee ballot.
Rutherford Rutherford has just concluded their Gala-in-place event to raise funds for the year. This took place through direct mail and followed up with social media and email. Many donors made their donations in memory of Edna Michael. They FAR OUTRAISED not only last year but their goals for this year. Yay to Rutherford!!!!
Transylvania Transylvania’s EXECOM met 7/20 and selected a county commissioner candidate (Douglas Miller) for the special election this fall. HQ is now closed. They have been having Zoom meets. Training is happening to use virtual phone banking. The messaging now is to encourage people to complete the census. The next campaign will focus on absentee voting. Yancey Thay are running newspaper and radio ads, and phone banking.
We will feature more County News in September’s Issue. Please get your info pre and post to mail to: karen@programservices.org.
Rock the Vote Signs
Be a part of helping District 11 Democrats raise money for our 2020 Get-Out-The-Vote Efforts. We have 4 exciting versions of 12″ x 12″ yard signs available for you to display and have your voice be heard during the COVID-19 era.
EVERY VOTE COUNTS
IT’S UP TO YOU, VOTE!
WANT CHANGE? VOTE.
YOUR VOTE, YOUR VOICE.
Each sign is $10 each, and available for pick-up or delivery (sorry, but shipping is not available).
Buncombe County residents are especially encouraged to order our yard signs because they can be picked up at our central location after purchase. So far, there have been no orders outside Buncombe County, but if a fair number of folks request from another county, we’ll arrange a delivery location there Click here to order.
From 3VC: Comunications
The NC District 11 website is updated regularly. County chairs are encouraged to have their 3rd VCs (or the person in charge of communications) get in touch to coordinate communication and planning. Please visit your county page on the District 11 website (nc11democrats.org) and send any updates such as website URLs, FB, Twitter, Instagram addresses, postal and physical addresses, phone numbers and County officers names positions and contact email addresses (or phone). Please also visit the state website,NCDP.org and make sure the NCDP3VC has the correct information for your county posted there. I noted some inconsistencies so please check the state website listings. Guidelines for posting information on the District 11 website, Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram are available upon request. Please forward your suggestions to the email below and we will consider your input in revisions.
Candidate Events: During the period from the NC primary until the general election in November candidates may submit posts and events for the District website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Please send detailed requests with pictures for addition to the District 11 Events Calendar. Pictures with captions of events that have recently happened in our counties are also welcome. Please try to get permission from people before taking photos. It’s respectful.
Karen Albig Smith 3VC: Communications karen@programservices.org
Special thanks to our social media assistance Grace Loftis. Look for our next newsletter in late August.
This was an important week for the Moe Davis for Congress Campaign. Col. Davis made a national TV appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe and received an endorsement from North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. (click on picture to see entire interview)
Col. Davis is vying with Madison Cawthorn for the seat previously occupied by Mark Meadows, now the White House Chief of Staff. That means North Carolina’s 11th District is now on President Trump’s radar as well. Moving forward, this race is likely to continue receiving national attention.
That’s good for us. The more attention this race receives, the more obvious it becomes that Col. Davis is the only candidate with the experience, knowledge and leadership ability to make a difference for Western North Carolina. With about 100 days to go, it is now a sprint to the finish line!
Thanks so much for your support, and keep spreading the word!
If you haven’t seen the interview yet, here is the videoof Moe’s appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe last Thursday.
It’s all there. Knowledge. Leadership. A focus on issues that affect Western North Carolina. This is what a real representative looks like.
GOVERNOR COOPER ENDORSES MOE DAVIS!
We received notice last Monday that Gov. Cooper had endorsed Col. Davis. Just as important as national attention, state-wide recognition can only help our campaign moving forward.
Thank you, Gov. Cooper!
SHARE ME
Want to help elect Moe Davis to Congress? Here’s how you can do it without spending money. And you don’t even need to live in Western North Carolina.
All you have to do is help us spread the word on social media. Interactions with our @MoeDavisforCongress Facebook and Instagram accounts impact their algorithms and ultimately affect how many people see our posts.
So here’s how we can push Facebook and Instagram to promote Moe Davis:
1. React to a post with a like or a heart.
2. Click on all links within a post.
3. Leave a positive comment, “Go Moe!” or a hand clap emoji, etc.
4. Share the post.
5. If there is a video, click on the link and watch at least ten seconds.
6. Click on all photos in a post.
7. Invite friends to “like” the Moe Davis for Congress Facebook page.
8. Go back to old posts and like them as well.
Special thanks to Nate Worley for these tips that we hope will help spread the word about Moe Davis and help him win in November.
DEFENDING OUR ENVIRONMENT
Kudos to MountainTrue for joining with the Southern Environmental Law Center and 15 other conservation organizations to defend the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
For 50 years, NEPA has required federal agencies to assess the potential environmental impact of proposed major actions before deciding whether to proceed. The Trump administration’s recent overhaul of NEPA regulations reduces the types and number of federal infrastructure projects and land management actions subject to environmental review.
Even more alarming, it revokes a requirement that climate change and other “cumulative environmental effects” be considered and limits opportunities for affected populations, such as communities of color, to challenge proposed projects.
Deregulation like this puts our environment — the economic engine of our economy in Western North Carolina — at risk. We need leaders in Washington who will fight to protect our environment.
Period.
YARD SIGNS
Do you have a yard that faces a major road, highway or interstate? Do you want a large — 4′ X 6′ — Moe Davis for Congress sign to display? Email us at yardsign@moedavis.com and we will get a large display sign to you as soon as we can. (Use the same address for the regular sized signs and magnetic bumper stickers.)
Thank you!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
COVID-19 restrictions got you locked down and bored at home? Want to talk?
How about chatting with voters in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District about Moe Davis?
We are asking for volunteers nationwide to phone bank for us, calling voters to get our message out. Calls can be made from anywhere in the country.
The more people know about Moe, his background, experience, knowledge and policy positions, the more likely they will support him. So please go to moedavisforcongress.com/get-involved/ to add your name if you can help.
Join us. Be a part of a team that flips Mark Meadows’s seat blue in November. It will feel soooo good.
MADISON’S WASHINGTON ADVENTURE
Madison Cawthorn recently attended a Trump fundraiser in Washington where he showed a video and had the opportunity to get in front of the GOP donor class. He’s already selling us out.
Those donors are going to pour millions into buying this seat. And Cawthorn’s vote.
Don’t let them get away with it.
Donate. If you can, and as much as you can. We can’t let Cawthorn anywhere near Washington.
Join Indivisible CommonGround WNC and Swing Left Asheville to make calls on Wed. 7/29 at 6-9 pm for 6th Generation Jackson County rep, Joe Sam Queen (HD-119). Make sure he is re-elected and stop GOP Gerrymandering! Register at this link: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/289640/
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to persist and North Carolina’s trends have continued to be worrisome. We need to keep in mind the health of all North Carolinians. We are all in this together.
The key to successfully containing this virus is building our citizen’s participation in proven preventative measures and by increasing our testing and tracing capabilities.
The key to restoring our economy is containing the virus.
Leadership Matters
Our Governor is working hard to move North Carolina forward with common sense steps. We are staying behind him and Secretary Cohen because they are leading us through this pandemic carefully and thoughtfully. Their leadership during this pandemic has provided North Carolina a stable platform to cope with the spread of COVID-19 all across our state.
We have sustained the Governor’s authority by sustaining his vetoes and we continue to support his data driven approach. We are all in this together.
Don’t Forget…
Doing your census is vitally important to our state’s function. Data collected from the census allows for us to appropriately allocate grants and funding to all of North Carolina. Please fill out your census, and spread the word to family and friends to do likewise. Being counted is key to us getting our fair share of future resources.
The Challenges of Education
The next big thing across the state is how are we going to get our schools and colleges up and running safely. And it’s complicated.
All hands on are deck. Except the legislature, which has adjourned until September, with no budget and lots of loose ends. Imagine that.
Even before the pandemic, the past decade of education policy has been dominated by a series of not just bad policies, but bad policies that are incredibly poorly crafted. Over the past 10 years the Republican Leadership has defunded North Carolina’s School system through budget cuts, reduced the number of teachers and increased the size of each class.
North Carolina should commit to the following list to account for past failures:
Revising the state funding model to provide adequate, efficient, and equitable resources.
Providing a qualified, well-prepared, and diverse teaching staff in every school.
Providing a qualified and well-prepared principal in every school.
Providing all at-risk students with the opportunity to attend high-quality early childhood programs.
Directing resources, opportunities, and initiatives to disadvantaged students.
Revising the student assessment system and school accountability system.
Building an effective regional and statewide system of support for the improvement of low-performing and high-poverty schools.
Convening an expert panel to assist the Court in monitoring state policies, plans, programs, and progress.
Admittedly, there are a lot of unknowns. We will not have our state revenue numbers until July 15th, the extended tax filing deadline. We don’t know the full extent of our shortfall until we get those numbers.
We don’t know what the much anticipated and much needed next round of Federal Stimulus will be. We are hoping Congress will see fit to help the States and Local Governments to cover lost revenue and continue to meet public needs.
But we could Expand Medicaidright now, stopping the waste of $4 Billion of our tax dollars and bringing them back. We need the $4 Billion in North Carolina now. It’s an $8 Billion dollar difference to our state this year. We desperately need it now!
We could put a $4 Billion Dollar Bond on the ballot this November to help fund schools, universities, broadband, water and transportation projects all across our state. We desperately need it now!
We could pass HB1122and advance broadband across our state. We desperately need to do this now!
We could Restore our Unemployment System. Presently the Great State of North Carolina has the nation’s worst unemployment benefits. During Governor McCrory’s Administration, with Tillis as Speaker of the House and Dale Folwell as Head of the Department of Employment Security, our state’s unemployment benefits were slashed from 26 weeks to 12 weeks and financial benefits were cut by over half. Tens of thousands of former recipients were just thrown off as ineligible. Now, in the midst of this unprecedented unemployment crisis we desperately need to restore North Carolina’s unemployment benefits!
We could Pass a Budget that… solves a lot of things. We desperately need to do this!
Joe Sam’s Notes
When we started this short session, we were working together. Similarly, Congress and the President were as well. But since then, things have gone south. We need to get back on track. This is not the time to be acting cavalier and irresponsible.
We have good options and we need to get on with them, let’s be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
Stay tuned.
Until we speak again, stay safe. If you or a loved one is concerned about your health, the numbers for each of District 119’s Health Departments are listed below:
Hey everyone, I hope you are wearing masks, social distancing and being safe as we continue to protect ourselves from COVID-19. The good news is that it’s a beautiful summer in Western North Carolina and there are so many ways to enjoy the outdoors. Ride a bike, take a hike, kayak on a river and know we will get through this. Together.
We have some updates from the campaign: I am scheduled to be on Rising with Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti on Hill.tv on Thursday, July 16 at 9:15 a.m. As with all interviews, this is subject to change at the last minute.
We have an impressive guest for Moe Talks! this week, with North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein joining Moe on Tuesday at 7 p.m. I will also join U.S. Senate Democratic nominee Cal Cunningham on Zoom for his Carolina Conversations series on Saturday at 2 p.m. See moedavisforcongress.com/events for links.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @MoeDavisforCongress and on Twitter at @ColMorrisDavis and @MoeNc11 and please share our posts with your followers. And get your voting age kids/grandkids to follow me on Snapchat at @moedavis4nc11. We can build a community and create a blue wave if we can bring others onboard.
There are better days ahead. I believe in the future.
MAJOR GENERAL DEVEREAUX ENDORSES MOE DAVIS
Major General Rick Devereaux (USAF, Ret.), a 34-year veteran who worked at the Pentagon before moving to Asheville, has endorsed Colonel Davis (USAF, Ret.) for Congress in North Carolina’s 11th District.
General Devereaux served as a pilot, commander of a squadron, operations group, two wings, two installations and the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center in New Jersey. He was Air Force Director of Operational Planning, Policy and Strategy at the Pentagon before retiring in 2012.
“Moe Davis has a deep well of experience and farsighted vision to superbly represent us in Washington,’’ General Devereaux said. “His track record is impressive. Moe demonstrated exceptional leadership as an Air Force Colonel, capping an impressive 25-year military career. He mastered the law as a military attorney and judge, U.S. Department of Labor Judge, and assistant director for the Library of Congress.
“Finally, he showed uncompromising moral courage as the lead prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay who held the line against torture-obtained evidence. Moe has the maturity, breadth of experience, and acumen to represent ALL the citizens of Western North Carolina and be a powerful voice in the U.S. House of Representatives. I strongly endorse Moe Davis for Congress, North Carolina District 11.”
Since retiring, General Devereaux has worked as a strategic consultant for numerous defense firms, think tanks, and technology companies, and is a member of the American College of National Security Leaders. He lectures and writes on security and military topics and continues to serve the Air Force as an adjunct professor.
General Devereaux has served on the Boards of several civic and veterans organizations, including the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA (Past Chairman), the Blue Ridge Honor Flight, Salvation Army of Buncombe County (Chairman), the City of Asheville Civil Service Board, the Rotary Club of Asheville (Foundation Chair), the World Affairs Council of Western NC, the Advisory Group of the Center for Climate and National Security, and the Consensus Group of the American Security Project in Washington, DC.
IT’S NOT A CULTURE WAR
Madison Cawthorn, our opponent in the 11th Congressional District race, says he wants a culture war, not a debate on policy. Maybe that’s because his policies will do nothing to help Western North Carolina.
Let’s be clear. This is what the 2020 election is really about:
It’s about healthcare.
It’s about education.
It’s about creating an economy with good jobs that pay well.
It’s about expanding broadband internet capability to rural areas to attract business, improve education and access to healthcare.
It’s about protecting our precious environment.
It’s about us.
Those who want a culture war seek only to divide us. Don’t let them.
PROTECTING OUR PARKS
Not all of the news is bad. Not all of government is hopelessly divided.
Let’s take a moment to celebrate a bipartisan effort to invest in our national parks, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway. The Senate recently passed the Great American Outdoors Act, which will provide $9.5 billion over the next five years to the national parks and other public lands. The money will help cover the backlog of desperately needed maintenance projects so we can repair and upgrade our parks, from buildings to roads and trails.
The bill was overwhelmingly approved, 73-25, and now goes to the House. The President has indicated he will sign it.
We can be cynical and point out that it’s a way to buy votes and help struggling candidates like Colorado Republican Senator Cory Gardner in a key election year. So be it. Whenever there’s an opportunity to do good, we should embrace it.
SUPPORT FOR A 51ST STATE
The House of Representatives recently passed a bill to make Washington D.C. the 51st state. Finally.
It’s long past time to grant statehood to the 700,000 United States citizens – a larger population than Wyoming or Vermont – who have been denied representation in Congress historically because of race, as Indivisible’s Ezra Levin and Leah Greenberg point out. They posted this excerpt of a speech by a southern Senator from the 1890 congressional record:
“Now, the historical fact is simply this, that the negroes came into this District from Virginia and Maryland and from other places…they came in here and they took possession of a certain part of the political power of this District…and there was but one way to get out…and that was to deny the right of suffrage entirely to every human being in the District and have every office here controlled by appointment instead of by election…in order to get rid of this load of negro suffrage that was flooded in upon them. This is the true statement. History cannot be reversed. No man can misunderstand it.”
It’s time to end this racist denial of statehood.
VOLUNTEER TO HELP VOTERS
The League of Women Voters of Asheville-Buncombe County is recruiting members for a Voter Services Action Group. The group educates voters on registering and voting, provides information on candidates and tracks voting locations and districts.
The LWVAB also needs volunteers to fill leadership roles and help with special skills including graphic design, videography, social media, public speaking, writing, research and outreach.
If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out this form.
Thank you!
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Those TV viewers who receive free, over-the-air local television in the Western North Carolina may need to re-scan their televisions to continue receiving those channels. An alert was issued to viewers on July 3.
Re-scans are free and can be done using the remote. Select Scan or Autotune from the TV or converter box control menu. Go to TVAnswers.org for more information.
The scan is necessary because the FCC is changing frequencies to provide more channels for wireless broadband services.
SIGNS AND BUMPER STICKERS AVAILABLE
Do you want a Moe Davis for Congress yard sign or magnetic bumper sticker? Just email your request to YardSign@moedavis.com with your address and we’ll get them to you.
REFORM OR RAGE — IT’S YOUR CHOICE
As you read above, Moe’s opponent’s campaign can be boiled down to one word: Rage. He wants voters angry. And he wants voters to blame Democrats for causing their problems.
We are not their enemies. And this is not a war. We are their neighbors and the 2020 election is to decide the policies we support.
We need to reach voters with that message, because we believe they’re tired of the division, too. But we can’t do it only online – not enough folks in Western North Carolina have broadband access to hear us.
So it takes dollars. As much as we can raise. We’ll need all that and more to flip the 11th District blue and bring much needed change to Western North Carolina.
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