Mar 06 2008
Mecklenburg Dems Choose New Chairman
Joel Ford, a businessman who pledged to unify a divided party, was elected chairman of Mecklenburg County Democrats Wednesday night.
He’s the party’s first African American chairman in two decades.
“Today is a day of new beginnings,” the 39-year-old contractor told more than 250 members of the party’s executive committee.
Ford soundly defeated attorney Pender McElroy 489-362 in weighted precinct votes. He also won 27 of 44 votes cast by elected and party officials.
The vote could close a contentious period for the party that began with December’s controversial party election for sheriff. Local party activists chose attorney Nick Mackey only to see the election overturned by the state party. County commissioners ultimately appointed Mackey’s opponent as sheriff.
