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RALEIGH, NC – Leading up to the May primary election, a coalition of nonpartisan grassroots groups and organizations will host the first-ever Candidates Forum on March 31 at 6:30 pm at 2616 S. Saunders St. in Raleigh. for the office of Wake County Sheriff.
A total of 10 candidates, between Democrats and Republicans, seek to represent their parties to contest the midterm elections in November this year.
During the primaries on May 17, seven Democratic candidates will face each other: Samuel Joseph Coley, Cendric L. Herring, Thomas Matthews, Willie Rowe, Ron Taylor, Randolph Baity and Geral Baker. The latter seeks re-election to the position.
While for the Republican party there are three opponents: former Sheriff Donnie Harrison, Tivon Howard and David Blackwelder.
The public forum on March 31 will be a space for the communities to listen to the government plans that each candidate has. There will be interpretation in English and Spanish.
“We hope that this forum will be the first of several that we coordinate. It is very important that everyone in the community has the opportunity to listen and talk with all the candidates. We look forward to hearing (from them) about policies that affect immigrant communities, their budgets, about officers in schools and much more,” said María González, Policy Advocacy Manager for El Pueblo.
This non-partisan forum counts is promoted by El Pueblo, Mujeresxs Organizing Remarkable Opportunities, Popular Action Committee, Justice and Hope, NC Asian Americans Together, Dominican Association of North Carolina, Popular Committee We Are Raleigh, Guardian Angel and Vida Nueva NC Community.
“This forum is important because the proposals and intentions of each of the candidates will be known in order to make a final decision on election day,” said Julián Abreu, president of the North Carolina Dominican Association (ADORA). “It will also allow us to see the face of those who in the very near future would apply the laws as well as programs that change the lives of many families in our community.”
The organizers highlight the importance of the participation of the community, especially the immigrant community, given the power that the bailiff has in relation to agreements such as 287g with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE).
“The 287g program has been very negative. Those sheriff’s who support it sell us the idea that it is originally made for criminals. It is just a make-up because reality showed that while this program lasted, over 80% of the people who were imprisoned and deported were due to cases such as driving without a license or a traffic violation,” said Nestor Gómez, from Comunidad Vida Nueva. NC.
DATA
What: Wake County Sheriff Candidate Forum
When: Thursday, March 31
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: 2616 S. Saunders St, Raleigh, NC 27603
