At the Orange County Democrat party at Bailey’s Bar & Grille, Linda Chewning, second vice chair and Orange County Democrats event organizer, said she is optimistic about the Democratic races in the N.C. General Assembly.
Democratic incumbent Ellie Kinnaird, who is running against Republican challenger Ryan Hilliard, is at the event.
Democrats are hoping Orange County will be strong enough to offset some of the counties leaning Republican to help out U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Elaine Marshall, Chewning said.
The Orange County Democrats have had a partnership with UNC students. Chewning praised what she described as the superior leadership of the UNC Young Democrats.
While many people say young people under 25 don’t care about politics, Chewning said she disagrees.
“I see just the opposite,” she said. “There is this extreme awareness at UNC.”
From talking to students and others in the area, Kinnaird’s campaign manager, Lee Rafolow, said people support Kinnaird because she has high integrity, a good environmental record and a favorable stance on social justice issues.
“Her values and the values of her constituents are congruent,” Rafolow said.
While Kinnaird is expected to win re-election, experts say Republicans have a strong possibility of taking over the N.C. Senate tonight.
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