NC State Senate

As we celebrate our independence from tyranny, let us not forget those who still face political injustice, intimidation and voter manipulation. I wish I were talking about some far away land or a third world Country which we are always eager to compare ourselves with in order to show our political superiority. No my friends, political intimidation is not a thing of the past, but a living entity in Gaston County, North Carolina.

On Friday, July 2nd, two days before our Nation was set to celebrate its independence from all things politically oppressive and deceptive, Annette Carter, Democratic candidate for the NC state Senate seat in Gaston County, backed out of the race with physical pain and a heavy heart.

Dr. Jim Leutze, the former Chancellor of UNCW is running for the NC Senate District 9 Seat which encompasses New Hanover County.

The NC GOP has name-jacked the NC State Senate. The NC Senate Republican Caucus is rolling out an online media campaign begun in January by consultant & executive director Jim Blaine. Using at least 4 domain names combined with Twitter & YouTube accounts the NC GOP has created a partisan cul-de-sac for unsuspecting web surfers looking for legitimate information about the NC State Senate.

The domain names ncstatesenate.com, ncstatesenate.org, ncstatesenators.com and myncsenate.com all direct to the same website. These 4 domains are registered variously to Jim Blaine and Linda Daves and share 2 IP addresses. The site is partisan with no general information about the legislative body. The site does not even provide a link through to the real NC State Senate site nor does it provide a disclaimer that it is not an official State website.