THE
State Employees Association of North Carolina, SEIU Local 2008 P.O. Drawer 27727, Raleigh, NC • www.seanc.org 800-222-2758 • 919-833-6436 • Circulation 55,000
December 2012
• Vol. 31, Issue 2
SEANC Has Strong Showing in Election 90% of EMPAC-Endorsed Candidates Win; Coleman Comes Up Just Short by Jonathan
Owens
SEANC Asst. Director of Communications
EMPAC-Endorsed Winners For a complete list of statewide and General Assembly winners who were endorsed by EMPAC, turn to page 4.
SEANC’s influence as a major player in North Carolina politics was further solidified in the 2012 election, when more than 90 percent of the candidates endorsed by EMPAC won their support for Coleman even in defeat. The TV and radio their races for statewide and General Assembly offices. commercials, web advertising and robocalls to members and the Four of the five statewide candidates EMPAC endorsed public helped get out the vote. Members made phone calls, put were winners, including Elaine Marshall for secretary of their boots on the ground and their hearts on the line for one of state, June Atkinson for state superintendent of public SEANC’s own because it was the right thing to do. instruction, Beth Wood for state auditor and Steve Troxler “With all the odds stacked against her, the grassroots effort for commissioner of agriculture. from members allowed Linda to remain far more competitive Of the 67 legislative candidates that EMPAC endorsed, all than most expected,” said SEANC Executive Director Dana but eight won. Almost half of the Cope. “I strongly believe that if we N.C. Senate members and nearly a don’t swing for the fences, we’re never “I strongly believe that if we going to hit a home run. This race was third of all N.C. House members in don’t swing for the fences, the upcoming General Assembly were unbelievably close, and should serve endorsed by EMPAC. notice that SEANC and its members we’re never going to hit a In one of the closest races in are a force to be reckoned with in state home run. This race was the nation, Linda Coleman nearly politics.” unbelievably close, and pulled off a victory in the lieutenant A 30-year SEANC member, should serve notice that governor’s race thanks to SEANC Coleman became SEANC’s hero back SEANC and its members are in 2005 when she single-handedly members’ hard work on her behalf. In the end, the forces working a force to be reckoned with held up the state budget in support against Coleman were too powerful: of vital public services and the people in state politics.” a loss by President Obama in North who provide them. No politician has SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope Carolina and a double-digit loss for done that before or since for state Walter Dalton in the governor’s race employees. In 2008, Coleman was meant Coleman received little help from the major candidates awarded the first EMPAC Legislator of the Year Award for her in her party. But even with Dalton’s lackluster numbers, efforts to secure pay raises for state employees. she nearly pulled it off. She received more votes than the Cope said SEANC would work with the new administration president and Dalton, and came within 6,858 votes — out of to make sure those who provide valuable public services always more than 4.3 million total — of winning in a year when the have a voice in Raleigh. Republicans swept the top two spots on the ballot with ease. “I congratulate Dan Forest on a hard-fought win,” Cope said. Once the provisional ballots had been counted, Coleman “Now that the election is over, we must work with the newly decided against calling for a recount in the lieutenant governor’s elected administration to continue making North Carolina a race that would have cost the state millions of dollars, instead great place to work and live.” graciously conceding the office to Dan Forest. SEANC members should stand tall and be proud of jowens@seanc.org