Thread by @JillianDURM

Here are some of the things I look for in political leadership, in order of importance: 4/

People who can and will do a good job: I’m looking for people with a track record of making things happen, who collaborate well and surround themselves with people who are also committed to a progressive agenda and can help them succeed, 5/

who build their platforms in consultation with effective community organizations, and who are dedicated to doing the work, not just winning the position. 6/

Values-driven progressive leaders: I’m looking for candidates who believe in public investment and policies that improve the lives of working-class people and communities of color. 7/

I’m looking for public support for a higher minimum wage, universal healthcare, public education, democracy reforms, and public investments in housing, education, transit, sustainability, and infrastructure. 8/

New ideas and diverse representation: I’m looking for candidates who have something positive and unique to bring to the table, who bring marginalized community members into critical public conversations, 9/

and whose identities and personal experiences have shaped their commitment to inclusion, equity, and democracy for all people. 10/

Toward that end, here are the people getting my votes in the 2020 primary:

* indicates incumbents 11/

* By endorsing these people, I am not claiming that they make the right decision 100% of the time, would pass a leftist purity test, are going to be able to fix everything on their own, or are in any other way super-human.* 12/

PRESIDENT: Senator Bernie Sanders
I supported Bernie in 2016, but was honestly struggling hard between him and Warren this round. In the end, Bernie wins it for me because political institutions don’t make change on their own. 13/

Political movements win the change that political institutions implement, and Bernie is the movement leader that we need . His base is younger, browner, and more working-class and he has the power to expand the electorate and bring more people into the political process. 14/

US SENATE: Erica Smith
Erica Smith has been an important voice for rural North Carolina in the NC Senate. She supports public education, expanding Medicaid, common-sense gun control, transit, and fighting climate change. Smith would be a strong contender against Thom Tillis. 15/

US HOUSE: David Price*
Price’s senior leadership role in the house has advantages for our region. He has co-sponsored the Medicare for All Act to provide free publicly-funded healthcare to everyone in the US, and supports transit, sustainability, and common-sense gun control. 16/

NC GOVERNOR: Roy Cooper *
With Cooper’s veto, NC has been able to prevent some of the worst right-wing abuses in the NCGA over the last four years. Cooper has prevented local sheriffs from being forced into collaborations with ICE and fought hard for Medicaid expansion. 17/

NC LT GOVERNOR: @ChazBeasley
Chaz is part of the next generation of great leaders in NC. In the NC House he has been a strong supporter of Medicaid expansion, full reproductive health access, fully funding public education, paying teachers what they deserve, and transit. 18/

NC AUDITOR: Beth Wood *
Beth Wood gets my vote here because she’s been doing this job for 10+ years and as far as I can tell she’s doing just fine. 19/

NC COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE: Jenna Wadsworth
Jenna is an up and coming leader with the ability to get things done. As a Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor in Wake County, she’s well versed in rural issues and cares deeply about NC’s rural communities. 20/

NC SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION: Jen Mangrum
Jen will fight hard for our public schools and against the right-wing privatization agenda of the NCGA majority. She’s also a former teacher and is endorsed by our state teacher’s union. 21/

NC TREASURER: Matt Leatherman
Matt has a wealth of experience in the State Treasurer’s office and is committed to using the power of that office to advance the interests of working people in our state and a broader justice agenda. 22/

NC SENATE 20: @piercefreelon
Pierce is a lifelong fighter for progessive causes, youth, and the arts. He’s a principled leader who continues to fight hard for what he believes in and has a strong and sincere desire to serve our community. 23/

DURHAM COUNTY COMMISSION: @NidaAllam
Nida is a values-driven leader with a strong progressive vision and a sincere desire to serve. She will work hard to ensure that Durham County moves in a more progressive direction. 24/

DURHAM COUNTY COMMISSION: @mattkopac
Matt is a strong leader on economic justice issues and environmental sustainability. He will work hard to implement progressive policy solutions that improve the county and meet our economic development goals. 25/

@mattkopac DURHAM COUNTY COMMISSION: Levon Barnes
Levon is dedicated to youth and as a teacher, will be a strong voice for public schools. His work as a youth mentor and coach has earned him the respect and trust of many young people, especially Black boys, in our school system. 26/

DURHAM COUNTY COMMISSION: Wendy Jacobs * - Wendy Jacobs is an advocate for education, jobs, healthcare, and other critical human needs. In her 8 years on county commission, she has led on efforts to create universal preK, healthy school food, and jobs for Durham residents. 27/

DURHAM COUNTY COMMISSION: Heidi Carter *
Heidi is a strong advocate for public education, transit, and sustainability. She leads with her values and is not afraid to take a stand when needed. 28/

DURHAM BOARD OF EDUCATION AT-LARGE: Steve Unruhe *
Steve is a critical leader on the school board and has worked hard to build a collaborative and forward-thinking progressive majority on the board over the last four years. He is a former teacher and endorsed by DAE. 29/

DURHAM BOARD OF EDUCATION: Jovonia Lewis
Jovonia is a powerful parent advocate and mother of 3 boys in Durham Public Schools. She’s a strong advocate for racial equity in educational and disciplinary practices and supports community schools. 30/

My friends, there are a lot of races, and every one of them is important. Please get out and vote in the primary and remember, YOU DO NOT NEED AN ID TO VOTE IN THIS ELECTION!

To get more info about how to vote, visit dcovotes.com

that's all, folks! 31/31

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@threadreaderapp OK I didn't do the thread thing exactly right but y'all get the idea. 😂