About our Party

For more than 200 years, the Democratic Party has represented the interests of working families, fighting for equal opportunities and justice for all Americans.

Today, Democrats continue that fight with a firm commitment to the values that we all share as Americans: a secure nation that leads in the world, strong economic growth and new jobs, affordable health care for all Americans, and a better education for our children.

PLATFORM

Adopted August 27, 2005

PREAMBLE

As the oldest continuous political party in the world, the Democratic Party has carried out its commitment to freedom, fairness, human rights, and responsible government for over 200 years. We pledge to continue this tradition.

We take pride in our Democratic heritage as a party of spiritual and patriotic values; a party of inclusiveness; a party of diversity; a party of compassion; a party of educational and economic opportunities; a party of social justice; and a party of responsible leadership.

This Party fully supports the Bill of Rights.

This party shall provide an avenue for the free and open expression of diverse ideas and opinions, including the right of every person to dissent, and shall work to promote government which is responsive to the legitimate needs, interests, and aspirations of every man, woman, and child in a manner which does not diminish human dignity or those fundamental rights, which are the birthright of all people of a free and democratic nation.

We, as North Carolina Democrats, seize this agenda, and vigilantly defend our historic Democratic heritage. We shall not abdicate our historical role as the party of action and the party of progress in this State. The lives and the livelihoods of the people of this State are our sacred trust. We must act decisively; we must act swiftly; we must act together.

During the late 1940's and early 1950’s in smoke filled back rooms, the Democratic Party in Henderson County was controlled by the powerful and influential Redden and Whitmire families. The late M.M. Redden Sr, was a Congressman and the late Boyce Whitmire was a State Senator.

When election time came around, it wasn't uncommon for drivers to pick up voters, take them to the polls and offer proven "Democrat" voters a pint or a chicken. According to Past Chair Bill Stepp, “Elections were hard fought and dirty but nothing compared to today. They were fought on issues and who could do more for the people, not the distorted rhetoric and spin we have today.”

Freeman's Newsstand on Church Street was the political center of our community for several decades. Many a thorny issue was solved through the backroom jawboning and arm twisting that took place at Freeman's Newsstand. It is good to remember what Bob Freeman said about the end result of that profuse ear bending, “Regardless of whether a man is a Republican or a Democrat, I’ll answer questions about politics the best I can.” Freeman once said, “My whole interest is in having good government.” (Times News July 26, 2002)

Through redistricting, an influx of new people and loss of the old time party bosses, the party lost strength and control to a better organized and majority Republican Party. Throughout the 60's, 70's, and 80's the Democrats became more fragmented and lost more strength and organization to the point that getting a Democrat elected became a lost cause. The office of Tax Collector held by Terry Lyda has been the only electable office in the past 20 years.

In the late 70's, Sam Neill, Boyd Massagee III, and Mae Alexander in that order served as chairs of the Democratic Party in Henderson County. They brought the Party out of the smoke filled back rooms and created a more inclusive party. Mrs. Alexander relates, “One lady stated that she never knew that there was so much to do, she thought all she had to do was go to one annual precinct meeting a year.”

In the late 1970's Royce "Bo" Thomas took an active part in politics running for Congress twice but losing both times to Lamar Gudger. Later Bo Thomas ran for the NC Senate, won, serving with distinction for 9 years. (1980-1989) He also served during those same 9 years as Chairman of the 11th Congressional District.

During Bo Thomas' tenure he gave the Henderson County Democratic Party space to run a full time Democratic headquarters. This office was open during the two terms Mae Alexander served as Chair of the Party (1983-1986) and 1 term under Wick Haynes’ chairmanship. During those 3 terms (6 years) the Party was energized but increasingly outnumbered by the influx of Republican retirees. Few candidates wanted to run with no realistic chance of winning.

Mae Alexander, prior to her term as chair ran for the NC House of Representatives, but lost by 184 votes. She then ran for chair of the HC Party against Jim Toms and won by .62 of a vote. Needless to say, everyone learned the value of one vote. The trouble was everyone liked both Mae and Jim. Thankfully, after the voting, everyone came together as a united body with Jim becoming 1st Vice Chair. After Mae served 2 terms (4 Years), Wick Haynes became chairman. Followed by Wick was Jim Toms, Kathleen Carland, Jonathan Parce and Bill Stepp. A history of Henderson County Democrats during this period would not be complete without acknowledging the loyal service to his party by Clarence Stepp. Even to this day Mr. Stepp is continuing to raise funds for a Henderson County Democratic Party Headquarters that will surely one day be realized.

Of interest is the fact that even though the Democratic majority waned, it remained strong in the City of Hendersonville. The city became a Democratic stronghold while the county was run by Republican office holders. It should be noted that the fiscal strength and stability of the City was greater and in far less turmoil than the county. Under Republican dominated leadership in the county, public projects lagged, school construction failed to keep pace with need, school nurses were rejected, air quality issues were ignored and land use planning came to a virtual standstill.

In the late 1990's an energetic and experienced former political professional named Paul Donahue retired with his wife, Sylvia, to Henderson County. Mr. Donahue worked tirelessly along with Mae Alexander to energize, modernize and reestablish the Henderson County Democratic Party. He became Chairman of the Party at the time when political events in the country had created an urgency for action. The presidency of George Bush was dismantling and destroying much of the compassionate fabric of American policy along with America's respected standing in the international community.

Knowing that a fair and just America depends on the checks and balances of power, this dedicated Democrat from Michigan and other loyal Democrats rose to the challenge to restore representative government in Henderson County. To that end, Mr. Donahue was able to organize all 34 precincts and with the help of the Democratic Women's organization, opened a full time Headquarters' at 622 North Main Street. During Paul's tenure Democratic club membership tripled. In 2004, he received the well deserved “Democrat of the Year” award from the 11^th Congressional District of Western North Carolina.

Today, the dynamic progress of the last decade is continuing and a new spirit of pride and empowerment has returned to the Henderson County Democratic Party. Once again, the Democratic ideal that “everybody should be somebody” is being heard through valley and peak in Henderson County.

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Paul Donahue	Bill Stepp	Jonathan Parse	Mae Alexander