NC Democratic Party Elects Dr. Bobbie Richardson New Party Chair, New Party Leadership

RALEIGH – On Saturday, February 27th, at the semi-annual State Executive Committee (SEC) Meeting of the North Carolina Democratic Party, hundreds of North Carolina Democrats elected Dr. Bobbie Richardson to serve as state party chairwoman. As the first African American woman to chair the NCDP, Chair Richardson leads one of the most diverse leadership teams in party history.

“I am honored that my fellow SEC members have chosen me to take on this important role and lead North Carolina Democrats as our party prepares for the 2022 midterm elections,” said NCDP Chair Richardson. “Together, we’ll fight for a fairer, more just North Carolina, recruit candidates that reflect the diversity of our state, and organize everywhere to elect Democrats who will be champions for working families across our state.”

Chairwoman

Bobbie Richardson was elected Chairwoman after serving one term as first vice-chair. Chair Richardson previously represented Franklin and Nash counties in the North Carolina General Assembly, serving from 2013-2018. Chair Richardson is a retired educator and administrator, with 35 years of experience as an educator in North Carolina public schools.

Officers

North Carolina Democrats also elected a diverse leadership team, representing the African-American and LGBTQ+ communities.

First Vice-Chair

Floyd McKissick was elected first vice-chair. McKissick served 13 years in the North Carolina Senate before being appointed by Governor Cooper to the NC Utilities Commission where he is currently a Commissioner. He previously served as a County Chair for the Democratic Party in both Durham and Warren Counties and on the NCDP Executive Council.

Second Vice-Chair

Matt Hughes was re-elected for a third term as second vice-chair. Hughes, the state party’s first out LGBTQ+ officer, has been serving as Second Vice Chair since 2017. A Hillsborough Town Commissioner, Hughes brings a wealth of experience to the NCDP with seven cycles of experience leading transformational change within our party.

Third Vice-Chair

Shannon Auer was elected for her first term as third vice-chair. Auer is a lifelong Democrat from Catawba County. She has held leadership roles in the Democratic Women of North Carolina and the Young Democrats of North Carolina.

Secretary

Melvin Williams of Duplin County was re-elected as Secretary for his sixth term. He is responsible for meeting minutes and writes the “Good News About Democrats” newsletter.

Dr. Bobbie Richardson Is Prepared To Drive North Carolina Democratic Party Forward

LOUISBURG, NC – Dr. Bobbie Richardson’s father raised her to be an avid voter and a Democrat; his vision was that the Democratic Party would provide better educational access and economic opportunities for minorities. Now she is vying for the position that will allow her to facilitate those opportunities and more, as she is a candidate for the Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party.

Richardson has dedicated her life to education. She is a first-generation graduate of North Carolina College (now NCCU),  earning her undergraduate and master’s degrees. Richardson obtained her doctorate in educational leadership from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Having worked in every level of the educational system in North Carolina for 35 years, she started her political career in 2013.

A native of Franklin County, Richardson is an alumnus of the then-still-segregated Perry High School. She first started in politics working on various campaigns in the Durham (NC) area. But, then moved back to Franklin County, attended a Democratic Party meeting, and at that meeting, there was an announcement made that there was no candidate for the Franklin County Board of Education. Richardson believed this was her opportunity to serve her community.

After serving as a member of the Franklin County School Board, Richardson went on to represent the people of House District 7 (which consists of portions of Franklin and Nash Counties). She was appointed in January 2013 and won election in Nov. 2014 and 2016 for additional two-year terms in the NC General Assembly. She has served as secretary of the House Democratic Caucus and was elected a House Democratic Whip by the caucus. Richardson has sponsored various bills – from one adding a hearing-impaired symbol on driver’s licenses, improving the educational system, to building a now thriving event center in the Rocky Mount area.

While being active in organizations such as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Lake Gaston Area Chapter of The Links, Inc.,  the Moles of Roanoke Rapids, the Board of Trustees for Louisburg College, as well as a Trustee of Gillfield Missionary Baptist Church, she still works diligently in politics. After serving for six years as a legislator in North Carolina General Assembly, Richardson gets a call about running for the First Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party.

“I said okay because I’ve learned that when the door opens you can not hesitate to walk in,” said Richardson. Since serving in that position for two years, she now is running for the Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party.

As for her plans, if she gets elected, Richardson hopes to continue to build adequate resources and volunteers to elect more Democrats as well as show what the Democratic Party has done for the country as a whole, such as Roosevelt’s New Deal. More specifically, she aspires to collaborate with all 100 counties along with adding a more diverse voice regarding race and gender by continuing the Women of Color Conference, an event where women of color come together and educate each other on the importance of voting.

She also hopes to incorporate “Chop It Up”, a federal program that brings men of color together to discuss politics. As for a woman of color herself, she wants to develop avenues to recruit women of color into politics. “When we can put people there that understand your walk and talk, we get voices that are going to speak up for women’s rights and minorities,” said Richardson.

A virtual 2021 North Carolina Democratic Party Winter SEC Meeting will take place Saturday, Feb. 27th to officially vote on whether Richardson will take the position of Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party. She has been very busy making phone calls, sending out emails, and talking to endless amounts of people to make sure everyone knows she would truly value her vote.

For more information about Dr. Bobbie Richardson, click here.