The Red, White and Blue Rally hosted by the Democratic Women of Alamance County brought in a range of community members and candidates looking to increase voter turnout Oct. 22. Around 100 people gathered in downtown Burlington to hear from local candidates and speakers about key issues in the upcoming election, such as education and voter rights.
Candidates at the event included North Carolina House of Representative candidate Robin Wintringham, Alamance-Burlington School System Board of Education member and candidate Seneca Rogers, Alamance County District 17 Court Judge incumbent and candidate Bryan Norris and several others.
Pamphlets at the Red White and Blue Rally by Democratic Women of Alamance County on Oct. 22.
The keynote speech was given by Kimberly Hardy, a professor at Fayetteville State University’s School of Social Work. Hardy emphasized the importance of encouraging lower turnout groups to show up this election.
“We are down with some key demographics: young voters, Latino voters and Black voters,” Hardy said.
Hardy has a background in social work and education and has spent years advocating for underrepresented groups. She encouraged community building and accountability in her speech.
Defense attorney Natalie Jones, who is running to become the first Black woman elected as a district 17 court judge in Alamance County, spoke about the importance of hard work and representation in the election. As a single mother with 22 years of experience as a defense attorney, she shared her commitment to her job and community.
“I believe in working until the work is done. You can often find me in my office well after 5 o'clock because 5 o'clock doesn’t mean anything,” Jones said.
Attendees gather at the Red, White and Blue Rally hosted by thr Democratic Women of Alamance County on Oct. 22 in Burlington.
The president of Democratic Women of Alamance County Tina Pierce was unable to attend the event. Her husband Anthony Pierce, candidate for county commissioner, took the opportunity to engage with voters. Pierce encouraged students and underrepresented groups to show up this election.
“Don’t sit it out. This is a critical election, like many others, and there’s a lot on the line,” Pierce said during the event. “A lot of people look for reasons not to vote but there’s so many more reasons to vote than not to.”
Rogers also emphasized the importance of civic engagement for students.
“The best way I think for Elon students to stay involved in what’s happening in Alamance County is realizing that when their time here, they’re residents,” Rogers said. “The time that they’re here in Alamance, they’re going to be impacted by what’s happening in the government of Alamance County.”
Democratic Women of Alamance County meetings are held at Burlington’s Occasions restaurant on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.