NC House Bill 127, currently in committee, is yet another thinly veiled attempt at voter suppression. This bill places unnecessary restrictions on how North Carolinians can register to vote. Many trusted organizations — like the League of Women Voters and even the Henderson County Democrats — regularly host nonpartisan voter registration drives. In fact, I registered to vote at one of these events in downtown Hendersonville two years ago. These drives make registration access

A record crowd of almost 200 turned out for the April 25 Henderson County Democratic Party convention, which featured a surprise campaign announcement and a rare visit from a national level Democratic Party leader. “It’s really important for me to be here because I’m guessing you don’t have a lot of representation from the national party coming to visit,” Reyna Walters-Morgan said during her keynote address. Walters-Morgan is the newly elected Vice Chair for Civic Engagement

At their April meeting, held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Hendersonville, a group of Henderson County Democratic Women and friends came together not only for fellowship but also to make a difference. Together, they raised $200 in support of True Ridge , a local nonprofit based in Hendersonville. True Ridge serves the Hispanic community across Polk, Transylvania, and Henderson counties. The organization provides critical services, including assistance with docum

📷 Photo credit: NewDEAL Leaders (newdealleaders.org) Defending Democracy, Expanding Access, and Building a Movement from the Ground Up We’ve got an exciting update for this year’s Henderson County Democratic Party Convention! While North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton will be in Washington, DC and unable to attend in person, she’s sending someone truly exceptional in her place: 🎤 Reyna Walters-Morgan, the current DNC Vice Chair for Civic Engagement and Vot

Youth, Grit, and a Relentless Passion for Democracy We are thrilled to welcome Anderson Clayton , Chair of the North Carolina Democratic...

At the next monthly School Board meeting, I’ll be taking a close look at the rapid expansion of state funding supporting private (mostly religious) schools through vouchers. Since public comment at the School Board meeting is limited to just 3 minutes, I’ll use the substance of my remarks as the basis for this Weekend Joe offering. The Start An early voucher program in North Carolina began in 2013 — known as the Opportunity Scholarships Program — with two pathways: one for st

A Legacy of Service, Leadership, and Community Dedication We are proud to welcome Council Member Melinda Lowrance as a featured speaker at the 2025 Henderson County Democratic Party Convention. A fourth-generation Hendersonville native, Melinda’s lifelong commitment to community leadership and public service is nothing short of inspiring. Melinda was born in 1951 to Alexander and Sarah Louise Gash Pilgrim, the oldest of four sisters. In 2022, she and her husband Jim received

Thousands of North Carolinians and others from across the country showed their concern and dedication by signing onto a North Carolina Democractic Party emergency Zoom info session about Jefferson Griffin's attempt to discard more than 67,000 votes. For those who couldn’t get in, the NCDP has made a recording available below. The Supreme Court has temporarily stayed the ruling from the Court of Appeals. Sign up for ongoing updates from NCDP here. Additionally, The Griffin L

Featured Speaker at the 2025 Henderson County Democratic Convention Preston Blakely is no stranger to Western North Carolina—or to making history. Born in Asheville and raised in Fletcher, Preston's roots run deep in our region. His journey from a young, engaged resident to the Mayor of Fletcher is a testament to the power of community, legacy, and leadership. Blakely earned his B.A. from UNC Greensboro, double majoring in African American & African Diaspora Studies and Polit

On April 5, more than 1,500 people gathered in downtown Hendersonville for the Hands Off! “Resist, Insist, Persist” Rally —joining thousands across the state and nation in a unified call to protect our rights, our communities, and our future. Organized by a coalition of nine local organizations, with leadership from Holly Newton and Laura Bannister , the rally brought together advocates for racial justice, LGBTQ+ equality, environmental protection, immigrant rights, and dem

Justice Allison Riggs won her election. Not once — but twice. Two separate recounts confirmed her victory in the race for North Carolina’s Supreme Court. But that hasn’t stopped the North Carolina GOP from trying to overturn the will of the voters. With help from a Republican-majority panel on the Court of Appeals, they’re now attempting to throw out more than 66,000 legally cast ballots. In a 2-1 partisan decision, the court ruled that voters whose registrations may not meet

What a turnout! The Henderson County Democratic Party’s Annual Precinct Meeting this past Saturday brought a full auditorium to life at West Henderson High School. Around 300 people showed up—so many that the meeting had to be delayed by half an hour just to get everyone checked in and seated. And it wasn’t just Democrats in the room. We welcomed dozens of Unaffiliated voters and even some fed-up Republicans who are ready for something better. Chair Leslie Carey opened the m

We all have favorite songs and least-favorite songs. As I was waiting for an oil change at the dealership the other day, one of my least favorite songs came on — John Mayer’s “Waiting on the World to Change.” Despite its catchy tune and Mayer’s sultry voice, there’s something that has always bothered me about this song. Why should we wait for the world to change? If we want the world to change, we need to actively work to make the world change. Look what’s happening in these

Our hearts are with everyone impacted by the recent fires in our region. If you or someone you know has been affected and needs support, please let us know . We especially want to hear about any GoFundMe or other aid efforts we can help promote. At HCDP, we believe in showing up for one another. Let’s make sure no one is facing this alone. Message us here or email us at info@myhcdp.com so we can help get the word out. #HendersonCountyStrong #CommunityFirst #HCDP

An overflow crowd filled Democratic Headquarters on Saturday, March 15th, to hear attorney Caroline Knox speak on Elder Law. Ms. Knox is...

I think it may be time to consider where we Democrats are after the election and at the 60-day point of the second Trump presidency. I suspect most (if not all) of us went through a period of mourning after last November 5th. At first glance, it can certainly feel like we Democrats should hunker down and wait for 2028. In his first 60 days in office, Trump has unleashed his Hounds from Hell—Elon and the Oligarchs—who act as if the checks and balances built into our Constituti

Stay informed on your local government! Via The League of Women Voters , here are recent Henderson County Boards and Committees monthly...

I received an invitation to Chuck Edwards’ townhall only two days before the event. With such short notice, imagine my surprise—and delight—when I found that more than 2,000 people had mobilized and showed up last Thursday. Hoping to Get In AB Tech’s Ferguson Auditorium holds fewer than 400 people. The line stretched past the building, around the parking lot, and back down the other side. We waited patiently, chatting with strangers and applauding whenever someone walked past

Question: Is Trump really serious about improving the U.S. relationship with Putin and Russia? Observations: Let’s first review his...

On March 8, gather in downtown Asheville to honor the relentless pursuit of justice and equality by women throughout history and protest...