A progressive activist from Buncombe County, North Carolina will be running for Lt. Governor in 2020.
Senator Terry Van Duyn announced last December that she will seek the number two spot in the Tarheel state.
I want you to be the first to know I'm running to be your next Lieutenant Governor in North Carolina! #ncpol #TVD2020 #ncga pic.twitter.com/EqKTMgHCEE
— Terry Van Duyn (@TerryVanDuynNC) December 10, 2018
The Lt. Governor’s office is currently occupied by Dan Forest, who has made no secret of his intent to challenge Democratic Governor Roy Cooper in 2020.
Since winning the special election for the seat left vacant in 2014 with the passing of Martin Nesbitt, she’s retained the seat twice – once in 2014 and again in 2018.
Prior to filling the Nesbitt seat, Van Duyn, then age 61, was arrested with several others on June 24, 2013, at a far Left ‘Moral Monday’ protest.
At that June 2013 protest, Van Duyn was one of the guest speakers.
Senator Van Duyn (D-D49) has demonstrated to be a Progressive Democrat who typically relies on wedge social issues and identity politics when campaigning.
Van Duyn has displayed her support for expanding abortion rights, restricting gun ownership, creating and protecting sanctuary cities, LGBT rights, Medicaid expansion and raising the minimum wage to at least $15 an hour.
Van Duyn, who hails from a very posh, affluent part of Asheville; last year made a big show of trying to block a voter ID bill tied to the state’s related constitutional amendment which was passed by over 55% of the state’s voters.
Senator Van Duyn will not be lonely in the race for Lt. Governor.
Former Senator Cal Cunningham of Lexington, a Democrat, has announced his intention to run. Two Charlotte Democrats may join the race as well, former state Senator Malcolm Graham and Rep. Chaz Beasley have both indicated a run might be possible.
In addition to the Democrats, five Republican candidates have announced they will run or have stated their intentions to ‘explore’ their options.
According to the political grapevine in the Tarheel state, Representative Mark Brody (R-D55) is considering a run and so is Former Mecklenburg County Commissioner Jim Puckett and former State Representative for Charlotte District 105, Scott Stone.
Former NC Congresswoman Renee Ellmers and Former Pat McCrory aide Neal Robbins are also rumored to be ‘exploring’ their options.
So far, no formal announcement or statement to enter the race has come from any of them.
– – –
A.P. Dillon is the North Carolina Bureau Chief for The Tennesee Star and a reporter at Battleground State News. Follow A.P. Dillon on Twitter. Email Tips to [email protected].
Image “Terry Van Duyn” by Terry Van Duyn.
