Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Nov. 1, 1984, edition 1 / Page 19
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1 Republican _ “Staunch” Black Supporters By Audrey C. Lodato According to figures from the Mecklenburg County Elections Office, there are twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans in the the county. Although the Elections Office spokesperson could not say how many blacks are registered to each party, it is probably safe to assume that the ratio of Democrats to Republicans in the black community is even greater than two to one. Nevertheless, the Republican Party can claim some staunch black supporters. Two of these are Felicia Pine and Hubert Jefferson, both of whom actively volunteer for the Republican cause._ “I’ve always been a registered Republican,” Ms. Pine remarked. “Basically, two things attracted me - a belief in the two-party system and a belief in the fundamental principles of the Republican Party.” She believes that, by more blacks becoming active in the Party, they c#n make it more responsive to community needs. In talking with other blacks, Pine emphasizes the need for a two-party system and the importance of not votina the straisht party ticket, but looking at the candidates and the issues. There are some people, however, she doesn't even try to talk to. “Hard-core Democrats I usually leave alone, because they will not change,” she said. consultant for a company out of Chicago, Is presently devoting full time to campaign activities, especially in the Martin for Governor race. She described what she likes about Jim Martin. "My basic impression of him is that he is a man of integrity with traditiohar beliefs. Jim Martin is a sincere, honest, hard-working person. He has addressed the issue of contracts with minority businesses and has asked for imput from the black community. He wants to know our concerns and what he can do to help.” Pine admitted that she gets a lot of jokes from friends about being a Republican. The biggest challenge, she feels, is minority recruitment. “It feels good when you get someone to register who has never been registered to vote,” she acknowledged. Unlike Pine, Hubert Jefferson is a Felicia Pine .Active volunteer former Democrat. His “conversion" came 34 years ago. “In 1948,1 was a Democrat working for the Democratic Party,” he began. “I was a persuader, selling white candidates to blacks. We were paid to do this. When I saw that the Republicans didn’t operate that way, I switched parties.” Jefferson further articulated his belief that black leaders have sold fellow blacks “down the river” since Depression days through rhetoric proclaiming that Democrats are for blacks and Republicans are for the rich. "To me,” he declared, “the —- 11 -■ Hubert Jefferson .Former Democrat Democrats have been keeping black people on a low level. They’re for ’the common man,’ but there’s no motivation to be somebody in life.” He believes Republicans tend toward more individualistic thinking. As for the widely held view that Republicans are rich, he noted, "Since I’ve been in the Republican Party, we’ve always had less money than the Democratic Party." Jefferson, who is working in both the Alex McMillan and Jim Martin campaigns, admitted he does not vote straight Republican. “If a black Have soma raclpos to shara, or know othars who might? Lot os ffaatwra you or thorn in Who's Who in tha Kit chan. Call Audrey 376-0496 Annual PercenTage"Rate...—.. New Car Loans For Republic Bank Customers Telephone Roger Leslie or Tim Cronin at 377-2676 today. BANK AND TRUST COMPANY !3,1 8. King* Or. • 3783 E. Indap. Blvd. a 5301 South Blvd a 2018. Tryon a 7800 Fakvlaw Rd. a 207 8. 8haron Amity Rd _a^noParKRoad Member FDIC VOTE RALEIGH BYNUM f County Commissioner ♦ Nov. 6 Pull Lever 31-B Raleigh Bynum Dedicated • Able • Committed - Mecklenburg's Man For The 80*s ' ■ BYNUM Campaign Fund Raising Events Nov. 1 Afternoon of Fashion and fcoo-tioop.m. Joss Entertainment a. tadi .bm. Nov. 3 Black Pot Fish Fry Homeof B«ttyHaywood S»l Sprtngvtow Rd. It:00Noon-Until Nov. 4 Afternoon of Fashion « oo-»:oop.m/ and Entertainment BKIAD TWB POST is running, no matter what, I vote for Turn,-just to get a black voice in office,” he asserted. Noting that he himself ran for County Commissioner in 1974, getting 17,000 votes, predominantly from the east side of Charlotte, Jefferson pointed out that the Republicans have had a number of black candidates on the local level. He denied the allegation that blacks suffer under Republican administrations. During Nixon’s term of office, for instance, “more blacks bought homes and started businesses than any other time,” he stated While he thinks Reagan cut too much from social programs, he pointed out that other programs were cut aswell. And, by providing a— target against which to rally around, Jefferson believes Reagan ‘‘is motivating us to work harder and educate ourselves more.” Jefferson commented that black Democrats should evaluate their party and know why they believe in it, rather than basing their affiliation on what he termed "rhe toric.” Most of all, however, he ! believes blacks should vote for the person, not the party. “Stop being led by the tail of the ass and look the elephant in the^face,” he advised. The Republican volunteer sees progress being made by both parties in terms of candidate selection. His prediction: in 1988, the Republicans will have a woman vice-presidential candidate, and the Democrats will have a black running for one of the two top offices. * Think! then VOTE I I CARLTON V. WINTER D.D.S. Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry Announces ~ THe Opening of a Satellite Office In The West Charlotte Area 3047-A FREEDOM DR. (formerly office of Charles Blair, D.D.S.) Freedom Village Shopping Center By Appointment Only .... • Medicare & Insurance Credit Cards Accepted Certified American Board of Pedodontics VOTE HOWARD BARM, LL N.C. HOUSE .OF REPRESENTATIVES Precints Voting Places 12 Clinton Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church 24 Enderly Park School 25 West Charlotte High School 26 Cole United Methodist Church 30 Plaza Road School 40 Thomas boro School 42 Hidden Valley School 54 Oaklawn Elementary School 55 Lincoln Heights Elementary School 56 Druid Hill School 82 Greenville A.M.E. Zion Church — Thank You •LEADERSHIP • EXPERIENCE •COMMITMENT _Paid for by Committee to Elect Barnhill "fccooAvg&fr ~ — woW^a*1'1”0* your local sovemment is too important to neslect. when you 30 to the polls, please don’t forget the County Commission. And we stronsly urse your consideration of one candidate in particular, Randy Kincaid. Randy Kincaid s seven years on the Davidson Town Board, his experience as a small businessman, and his backsround as a professional economist and teacher, provide him with unique sensitivity to issues facins our community Randy Kincaid has the ability to evaluate situations open-mindedly, to solve problems creatively and to implement decisions with intesrity and msght Remember the County Commission race, and remember Randy Kincaid OtULu jK Arthur Griffin Jr Metvm L Watt
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Nov. 1, 1984, edition 1
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