Voting delegates from seven counties will gather in Shelby, N.C. on Saturday, May 21, for the annual 10th Congressional District Democratic Convention. The day’s events are also open for attendance by other interested registered Democrats living in the district, which includes Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Polk, and Rutherford counties, the Asheville area of Buncombe County, and part of Catawba County.

“We’ve forged close ties among Democrats in the 10th District,” said Betsy Wells of Grover, who will preside at the convention in her fourth year as district chair. “Enthusiasm is high,” Wells said, “not only because this is a presidential-election year, but because the current political environment in North Carolina is so volatile. Democrats have opportunities to win all across the ballot, and that’s motivation to work hard and get out the vote.”

Convention-goers will hear from two candidates Democrats hope to send to Washington to replace long-time Republican incumbents. Deborah Ross of Raleigh, attorney and former state legislator, is waging a lively race for U. S. Senate, and Andy Millard of Tryon, former educator and businessman, is campaigning hard to win the 10th District’s U. S. Congress seat.

The event will be held at the Cleveland County Schools Central Services Office at 400 W. Marion St. in Shelby, in its Staff Development Building C. The convention session will be called to order at 11:30 a.m. Registration will be open from 9 to 11:30 a.m. A pre-convention workshop will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on “How to Plan an Effective County GOTV Effort.” Box lunches will be available for purchase.

Key items on the convention business agenda are the election of five district delegates to the Democratic National Convention July 25-28 in Philadelphia. Fifteen Democrats from the district have applied to be considered and include supporters of both Democratic presidential contenders. Delegates will also elect one presidential elector to represent the district’s voters, and act on party business including resolutions and committee appointments. A silent auction in conjunction with the convention will help raise funds for the campaign ahead.

Voting delegates to the district convention were elected at county Democratic conventions in April. There is no cost to attend the convention, either for voting delegates or other interested registered Democrats wishing to attend. For more information, see www.clevelanddems.org, or email clevelanddems.central@gmail.com.

 -Submitted by Pat Poston