Mack Paul announced today that he’s resigning as chairman of the Wake County Democratic Party.
Paul, who has been chairman since September 2010, said he’s stepping down as of Dec. 31 to refocus on his family and his legal work. He said also wants work on the statewide and Presidential races next year.
His tenure is ending with Democrats regaining the majority on the Wake County school board and the party’s candidates winning the mayoral races in Raleigh and Cary and several Raleigh City Council contests.
“I’m happy that we took all five school board seats,” Paul said in an interview. “That was my driver for serving as chairman.”
Paul talked more about the school board races in an e-mail he sent today announcing his resignation.
"As you know, I filled Jack Nichols' unexpired term as chair late last year," Paul says in the e-mail. "My primary reason for doing so related to the situation facing the Wake County School Board.
My wife was forgiving enough to let me serve as chair through the 2011 election cycle so that I could focus the Party's efforts on the school board races and coordinated campaign. The energy and passion unleashed by hundreds of volunteers and community leaders made this experience one of the highlights of my life.
Despite claims by some Republicans, Democrats prevailed in Wake County this year due to the hard work of many, many local volunteers, a seasoned and professional field organization and other groups vested in the success of our public school system.
My hope is that we return to the days when no one knew or cared about the party affiliation of Wake County School Board members. However, if extreme ideologues attempt to upend the our school system in the future, I am confident Democrats will fiercely defend the traditions that have made this region an economic success story."
The Wake County Democratic Party’s Executive Committee will meet Jan. 19 to pick a new chairman.
Comments
Who's bringing politics to the school board??
Sat, 12/03/2011 - 13:50 — loriac'“I’m happy that we took all five school board seats,” Paul said in an interview. “That was my driver for serving as chairman.”'
So the Democratic party's chairman main goal was to retake seats of the BOE, whose members are supposed to be non-partisan,
Fascinating.
his point
Sun, 12/04/2011 - 00:02 — stepbystepMr. Paul's following statement is more to the point:
"My hope is that we return to the days when no one knew or cared about the party affiliation of Wake County School Board members. However, if extreme ideologues attempt to upend the our school system in the future, I am confident Democrats will fiercely defend the traditions that have made this region an economic success story."
Right. 'you made me do it'
Sun, 12/04/2011 - 10:42 — loriacRight. 'you made me do it' is the oldest argument in the world, and usually means you are doing something wrong.
And what exactly were...
Sun, 12/04/2011 - 11:11 — bpuli9999Susan Bryant's goals? To make the BoE non-partisan?
That wasn't the focus of
Sun, 12/04/2011 - 12:19 — loriacThat wasn't the focus of this article. Note that it wasn't the Republicans who stepped up in 2009, it was PARENTS. I think it's interesting that the Dems immediately then put their sights on the 2011 BOE election, even while claiming how awful it was that the Republicans had politicized the board. Were the Republicans late to the 2011 party? yes, and it showed.
Right...
Sun, 12/04/2011 - 18:05 — bpuli9999and it was not parents who voted this time. The truth is that the republicans got to the party early in 2009. No one expected the elected folks to be so partisan and so actively backed by the local republican party. Thankfully that has now been reversed - marring the BOE elections forever though - they will never be the same again. All thanks to the republican wingnuts that got elected in 2009.
Who are the wingnuts?
Sun, 12/04/2011 - 20:11 — loriacThe wingnut designation had already been claimed long before 2009. 'there are no neighborhood schools in Wake County.'. 'Why don't people just go where they are supposed to?' (referring to the school assignments). Purposely 'odious' assignments to force people to make the 'right' choice. 'We don't need a study, we know it's working.' (referring to diversity busing). No, the democrats got surprised in 2009, and the democratic chairman made it a focus to change this into a partisan fight. Not the republicans. All those imported protesters, singing and disrupting board meetings ... Wonder if that will be allowed from now on since one of our new BOE reps thinks this is acceptable behavior. Who are the wingnuts?
I am thankful for what the board accomplished in the last 2 years. We'll see what the next 2 years bring.
Got milk?
Sat, 12/03/2011 - 12:55 — FSandYOUMilk would be as relevant to education as this is.
In other news....
Sat, 12/03/2011 - 09:28 — bpuli9999Susan Bryant says she is going to continue to lead the Wake GOP to losses next year also. "Winning isn't everything," she said. Yay!