SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Following the redrawing of the lines of North Carolina state representative districts, there is an open race for District 19, which now covers both southern New Hanover County as well as Brunswick County beaches.
Related: New House state maps mean changes for New Hanover, Brunswick representation
Southport resident James Rory Dawkins Jr. originally set out to challenge long-time incumbent Republican Frank Iler in District 17, but when new maps were drawn up, Dawkins found himself in District 19, which has no incumbent (former incumbent Ted Davis was moved to District 20, where he is running again).
Dawkins, a progressive Democrat candidate, may find himself in a primary match-up against Marcia Morgan; Morgan challenged Davis in 2018 and came within 2.5 percent. Morgan announced her intention to run over the summer, before the districts were re-mapped. Republican David Perry is also running.
Dawkins is running on a number of policy issues, including support for at-risk populations (poor, working-class, elderly, and veteran populations), addressing climate change, socially progressive policies (including legalizing medical and recreational marijuana), and addressing government corruption. You can find more information on his policy positions here.
“Our district is one of the fastest-growing in the whole of the United States, and the election in 2020 could not be more important. That’s why I’m asking you to send me to Raleigh, to show the country that North Carolina can lead the way forward,” Dawkins stated on his campaign website.
“Join me in supporting the progressive causes that will make the biggest improvements in the lives of working-class and middle-class North Carolinians, and help me show America that we stand against racism, sexism, xenophobia, transphobia, misogyny, and injustice.I pledged from the start of this campaign not to take a dime of big corporate money. I’m relying on small-dollar donations from people like you all across the country who share these values, so please give what you can, when you can!”
You can find more information at Dawkins’ campaign site.
