RWCA: Anderson & Stephenson at-large
The Raleigh Wake Citizens Association is the city’s oldest (75th anniversary coming up) and most influential political group representing black communities, including the Southeast Raleigh neighborhoods. Its endorsement is highly prized by Democratic candidates, and in this year’s at-large City Council race — and I base this on what I heard at last week’s RWCA meeting — it was a close-fought thing whether the group would endorse incumbent Russ Stephenson or challenger Mary-Ann Baldwin, both Democrats. (Meaning, of course, for its second pick; it was long-since decided that the RWCA would back Paul Anderson, the only African-American candidate in the six-person field, for one of the two at-large seats at stake on the October 9 ballot).
Since then, the group’s political action committee has been meeting privately, and their decision is in: It’s Stephenson. And Anderson. In the District B council race, they endorsed incumbent Jessie Taliaferro over challenger Rodger Koopman — both are Democrats. And in District A, no surprise, they picked Democratic challenger Nancy McFarlane over incumbent Republican Tommy Craven. The PAC also endorsed Kevin Hill and Beverley Clark for seats on the Wake school board, and supported all the bond issues on the Raleigh and Wake County ballots.
Below the fold, the RWCA M-PAC’s statement:
On September 27, 2007, the RWCA M-PAC Committee endorsed the following candidates for seats on the Wake County School Board and the Raleigh City Council for the October 9, 2007 election. Also, the Committee endorsed the passage of all bonds on the ballot.
As a public service, please publish the bonds below along with the names and respective races for the following candidates:
Wake County School Board
Kevin Hill District 3
Beverley Clark District 6
Raleigh City Council
Paul Anderson At-Large
Russ Stephenson At-Large
Nancy McFarlane District A
Jessie Taliaferro District B
Bonds
Wake County Open Space
Wake County Community College
Wake County Libraby Facilities
City of Raleigh Parks and Recreational Facilities
Thank you.
Larry Dickens
RWCA M-PAC Chair