The Service Employees International Union is laying the groundwork to create a new political party in North Carolina to field candidates who would be more supportive of labor interests than some in the state’s current Democratic delegation.
About 100 canvassers have been trying to collect the requisite signatures for the past two weeks to gain ballot access for the new party, which would be called North Carolina First. SEIU spokeswoman Lori Lodes said their primary focus was to officially register the party, but noted that the union was beginning conversations with possible candidates who could run under the party’s banner.
About 100 canvassers have been trying to collect the requisite signatures for the past two weeks to gain ballot access for the new party, which would be called North Carolina First. SEIU spokeswoman Lori Lodes said their primary focus was to officially register the party, but noted that the union was beginning conversations with possible candidates who could run under the party’s banner.
North Carolina Deputy Director of Elections Johnnie McLean said the SEIU had begun the petition process and must gather 85,379 signatures to turn in to county election offices by May 17. Certified petitions have to be sent to the state office by June 1. If the signatures are found to be valid, the new party would then hold a nominating convention to select candidates, with names due to the Election Board by July 1 in order to appear on the November ballot.
The announcement comes just weeks after SEIU, along with several other labor and progressive organizations, threatened to withhold their endorsement and even field challengers against Democrats who voted against the health care bill last month.
Three of North Carolina’s eight Democratic congressmen—Reps. Heath Shuler, Mike McIntyre and Larry Kissell—voted against the health care bill, the most Democrats of any state.
“At the end of the day, it is about accountability,” Lodes said. “Working families don’t have much of a choice when it comes to their elections. They can either vote for a Republican who’s looking out for the insurance industry, and what they found out is they can vote for a Democrat looking out for the insurance industry.”
Lodes said one reason the state was chosen to launch the new party was because of the strong presence of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, which is joining them in forming the group.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/35675.html
The announcement comes just weeks after SEIU, along with several other labor and progressive organizations, threatened to withhold their endorsement and even field challengers against Democrats who voted against the health care bill last month.
Three of North Carolina’s eight Democratic congressmen—Reps. Heath Shuler, Mike McIntyre and Larry Kissell—voted against the health care bill, the most Democrats of any state.
“At the end of the day, it is about accountability,” Lodes said. “Working families don’t have much of a choice when it comes to their elections. They can either vote for a Republican who’s looking out for the insurance industry, and what they found out is they can vote for a Democrat looking out for the insurance industry.”
Lodes said one reason the state was chosen to launch the new party was because of the strong presence of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, which is joining them in forming the group.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/35675.html