Gordon Smith

Young elected officials made a big difference for Equality this week.

Gordon Smith, endorsed by the Farm Team in '09, was one of 5 Asheville City Council votes in favor of LGBT rights Tuesday night:

City Council approved a resolution 5-1 late Tuesday calling for creation of a city registry for people in same-sex relationships and endorsing more rights for same-sex couples.

The resolution also calls for an ordinance against bullying on city property to be drawn up and for banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or sexual identification in city government employment decisions.

The split between urban and rural voters is about more than population density, but don't discount its importance. In many ways, cities need highly effective government, even if they don't always get it. In cities, many different kinds of people live more closely together, so that the "other" is not some rare or alien creature. The "other" is your gay friend, your black colleague, your female boss. The city council in Asheville is an elected body that gets this. The new GOP majority in Raleigh is not.

Part 1 in our MarshallBomb Series ... Crossposted at Daily Kos and Pam's House Blend

As many of you know, my political adventures led me to start a PAC last year. I wanted to break away from the predominant funding mechanisms in North Carolina and start creating a grassroots network of committed progressives. I wanted to build a donor list that would put people who believed in LGBT equality, good government, ethics reform; in short, big-and-little-D democratic values. I wanted to make sure there was an effective voice for young, progressive candidates in our state. So I started the Grassroots Farm Team PAC, opened a bank account, registered with the State Board of Elections, and started raising money.

With a full-time job and finishing my A.B. degree, it's been hard. It hasn't always been fun. However, it's stories like this that make it all worth it.

More below the fold ...

I can barely express how excited I am to congratulate Asheville and BlueNC blogger, Gordon Smith, who won a seat on the Asheville City Council. Gordon, who blogged as Screwy Hoolie and has been blogging longer than BlueNC has been in existence, beat Republican Carl Mumpower handily. Mumpower ran for congress against Heath Shuler in 2008.

Congratulations Gordon. I'm happy for you and so, so proud of you. I can't wait to follow your career.

This one's just over a minute long - please share it with your Asheville people!

We need your help today. For our candidates, tomorrow isn't an option.

Today, the Grassroots Farm Team is happy to announce our endorsements! Five out of six candidates returned their applications on time, and out of those candidates we are endorsing four candidates who we believe deserve your help.

If you want to help these candidates, we need your contribution today. We will be sending financial support to some of these candidates today to make sure that the money reaches them with enough time to make a difference.

$50, $25, $15, or even $6 will go a long way and help these candidates reach every voter they need to reach before November 3.

And whether or not you give, spread the word! Post this diary on your facebook, your Twitter, and e-mail it to everyone you know who is willing to chip in $6 to elect Democrats.

With your support, these great candidates will become North Carolina's next leaders.

We're asking some tough questions.

Today, applications for endorsement went out to six candidates who are seeking help from the Farm Team in their November Elections. We asked some pretty hard questions:

1. If elected, why will you be a good public servant?

2. If you had to estimate the chance that you have of winning, what would the odds be?

3. What kind of impact would a contribution of $500, $1000, or $2000 have in your race?

I want everybody who has supported the Farm Team to know that in addition to supporting a worthy cause, you're supporting a smart cause. We are going to make sure that your contribution goes far towards cultivating the new leaders that North Carolina needs.

If you haven't been able to support us yet, please contribute to keep the Democratic bench strong and deep.

$50, $25, $15, or even $6 will go a long way.

Get ready.

This weekend, the Grassroots Farm Team is in Asheville working to help young, exciting Democratic candidates. We are canvassing for Farm Team Prospect Gordon Smith and we're giving people attending the dinner a place to stay - complete with breakfast and shuttle service to and from the weekend's events.

We're getting closer to reaching our pre-primary fundrasing goal, and after the dinner we're going to announce a way for you to help get strong Democratic candidates past the primary on October 6 - even from the comfort of your home.

As always, if you’d like to help out, you can reach us at @NCFarmTeam on twitter, on our Facebook Fan Page, or by e-mail at NCFarmTeam <:at:> gmail.com.

If you'd like more information about getting a room for Vance-Aycock, or about canvassing for Gordon Smith this weekend, that's the best way to reach us.

RSVP on Facebook!

The Grassroots Farm Team is proud to support Gordon Smith the weekend before the Asheville City Council primary. Come out and canvass for Gordon before the Vance-Aycock dinner starts - and make a difference by electing a great young Democrat to the Asheville City Council!

We will provide great maps and volunteer training from our excellent field staff. Please arrive at 10:30 am sharp with an umbrella, a water bottle, and a smile!

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2009
Time: 10:30am - 1:00pm
Location: 108 Hillside St.
City/Town: Asheville, NC