Durham County Senior Democrats Endorse 17 Candidates for Federal, State and Local Offices
DURHAM, N.C. — The Durham County Senior Democrats have unanimously endorsed 17 candidates for state and local office, marking the first time the politically active organization has formally backed a full slate of candidates.
The vote took place on March 6, reflecting what the organization described as a growing urgency to support leadership that will defend democratic institutions and address key challenges facing North Carolina communities.
Leaders of the group said the endorsements represent a commitment to strengthening representation at every level of government—from the state legislature and courts to local offices in Durham County.
A Unified Show of Support
The Durham County Senior Democrats, an auxiliary of the North Carolina Democratic Party and the North Carolina Senior Democrats, said members voted unanimously to support the slate of candidates.
“This moment requires strong leadership rooted in community,” said Natalie Rand, president of the organization. “It’s going to take years to repair the damage done by the current administration. We want to reclaim this democracy for our children and grandchildren.”
The endorsements reflect concerns among members about issues ranging from state legislative policy decisions to disaster recovery funding and local governance challenges.
Full Slate of Endorsed Candidates
The organization endorsed candidates across multiple levels of government, including statewide offices, judicial seats, and local leadership roles.
Federal and State Leadership
- Roy Cooper, North Carolina Senate
- Justice Anita Earls, North Carolina Supreme Court
- Rep. Valerie Foushee, U.S. House – District 4
- Christine Marie Walczyk, North Carolina Court of Appeals – Seat 3
North Carolina General Assembly
- Sen. Natalie Murdock, Senate District 20
- Sen. Sophia Chitlik, Senate District 22
Durham County Leadership
- Satana Deberry, District Attorney – 16th Prosecutorial District
- Aminah Thompson, Durham County Clerk of Superior Court
- Clarence Birkhead, Durham County Sheriff
Judicial Candidates
- Dave Hall, District Court District 16 – Seat 1
- Doretta Walker, District Court District 16 – Seat 2
- Kevin Jones, District Court District 16 – Seat 3
- Dorothy Hairston Mitchell, District Court District 16 – Seat 4
- Christy Hamilton Mailott, District Court District 16 – Seat 5
- Amanda Maris, District Court District 16 – Seat 6
- Myra Griffin, Superior Court District 16B – Seat 2
- Josephine Kerr Davis, Superior Court District 16B – Seat 3
Advocating for Seniors and Future Generations
The Durham County Senior Democrats represent residents age 50 and older who are actively engaged in civic advocacy and electoral participation.
The organization works to promote policies that support:
- Affordable healthcare
- Secure retirement
- Housing stability
- Environmental protection
- Reliable transportation and infrastructure
- Lifelong learning opportunities
Members say these priorities extend beyond senior issues to policies that strengthen communities for future generations.
Looking Ahead
As the election cycle intensifies, the organization says it plans to remain active in voter outreach, community engagement, and efforts to support Democratic candidates across North Carolina.
Leaders say the endorsements of the 17 candidates reflect a shared belief that strong local and state leadership will play a critical role in shaping the future of Durham and the state.
About Durham County Senior Democrats
The Durham County Senior Democrats is an auxiliary organization of the North Carolina Senior Democrats and the North Carolina Democratic Party. The group works to support Democratic candidates, advocate for policies affecting older adults, and promote civic engagement among residents age 50 and older.
Feature image courtesy of Durham County Senior Democrats